Monster Zero News, 04/24/2004 (via archive.org):
CONFIRMED: GFW Kaiju List
By: Mike Russo, et al
April 24, 2004
A list of the kaiju in Godzilla Final Wars.
Credit for the information goes to: Greg Cordaro, John DeSentis, Brandon Shields, Kevin Frederick, and Jim C. Thanks Guys.
”Thanks to a source who has visited the set of Godzilla: Final Wars, I now have the names of the kaiju who will be appearing in the film, although there might be MORE who are not listed. Monster X's identity is still a secret.
The kaiju are:
Godzilla
Monster X
Mothra (larva form)
King Ghidora
Rodan
Angilas
Gigan
Manda
Gorosaurus
Kumunga
Kamakaris
Ebirah
Minya
King Seasar
I'm baffled by the inclusion of Minya and King Seasar, and a little surprised that I havent heard Baragon and Varan's names come up. There's always the possibility that these two will appear in the film, however.
I'm not surprised by the fact that Mechagodzilla is nowhere to be seen, since I think we can all live without seeing that kaiju again for a while. I was also right in assuming that Space Godzilla, Biollante and Destroyah would NOT be in the film.
Lastly, I've been told that King Ghidora would have 4 legs in the film, so make of it what you will.”
Monster Zero News, 05/01/2004 (via archive.org):
Godzilla Final Wars: Major Spoiler!
By: Xinhuanet
May 1, 2004
Shanghai Daily
A Chinese news article reveals what is purported to be a MAJOR SPOILER for Godzilla Final Wars. If you don't want to know then don't read!
EIJING, May 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Godzilla is finally going to die - honest. And it's going to happen in Shanghai.
Japan's Toho Pictures is already filming the final Godzilla flick for the legendary monster's 50th anniversary on the big screen.
In "Godzilla: Final Wars," the fictitious green monster that wreaked chaos around the world will lose his final battle to a fire dragon and die by the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong.
The filming of local scenes will last about four days in the city's Chedun film studio.
Director Ryuhei Kitamura and some of the cast are scheduled to be in the city at the end of this month to complete the shots.
The film's plot could be described, kindly, as uncomplicated. Godzilla's child is killed accidentally by humans, which drives the monster crazy. The reptile-like creature then goes on a massive rampage around the world, according to a local film import company that will assist in the shooting of the local parts.
After several rounds of epic encounters, Godzilla faces the fire dragon. The final battle is set to happen on the Bund.
Godzilla's fury will not be contained to Shanghai however. He will also smash, bash and crash his way through the United States, France, Australia and other countries.
Nearly 300 extras will be hired locally for the final scenes.
Cast shots will be completed mainly inside the studio while computer technology will be used to synchronize outdoor filming of the Bund and the Pearl Tower.
Representative buildings and scenic spots will be shot on location. Kitamura has also confirmed that the Eiffel Tower in France will be one of the locations for a separate scene.
The movie is now being filmed by several teams at the same time in different countries. The Japanese premiere is scheduled for December 11.
The local film import company's management said they are interested in introducing the movie to the city's cinemas.
Toho Pictures has produced 22 movies starring Godzilla since 1954. Hollywood also paid the company to produce its version in 1998.
Kitamura, 35, is a rising director famous for glamorous fighting scenes in cult films.
The young director has won world acclaim for his 2003 production, "Azumi," a comic book movie, which is considered the Asian counterpart of American director Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films.
Henshin!Online, 07/06/2004 (via archive.org):
Big Fighters & Little Beauties, Shanghai Burns and Monster X Revealed!
Breaking News and Scoops on GODZILLA FINAL WARS
Author: August Ragone with Keith Aiken
Source: Anioha, Various Japanese News Sources
Following the casting announcement of K-1 fighter Don Frye as "Captain Gordon" of the Undersea Warship Goten (aka "Atragon"), another real-life tough guy has been cast in Ryuhei Kitamura's upcoming GODZILLA FINAL WARS. The 35 year-old founding father of Pancrase fighting, Masakatsu Funaki, has been cast as "Kumasaka," Commanding Officer of the special mutant soldier squad. The 6' tall, 205 pound two-time "King of Pancrase" should be an imposing on-screen presence and create a great contrast with star Masahiro Matsuoka, who plays mutant soldier "Ozaki."
Going from Beast to Beauty, the biggest little news for Godzilla fans is that idols Chihiro Otsuka and Masami Nagasawa have been tapped for FINAL WARS to reprise their roles as the "Shobijin" (Little Beauties), the guardian priestesses of Mothra, from last year's GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS. This stands as more continuity to the original Godzilla universe, known in fan circles as the "Showa Era", because these are films that were produced during the reign of Hirohito, the Showa Emperor.
Meanwhile, Japanese news reports are claiming that Godzilla and Angilas are to engage in their duel to the death in Shanghai, China. Location shooting began in "The City on the Sea" on the morning of July 4th and wrapped on the 5th (Shanghai Time). Overseas Location Director Ryuichi Takatsu visited Shanghai for the first time to take charge of the filming. "Shanghai is a city where the impression of the future is overflowing, and is very well suited to the futuristic atmosphere of this film," Takatsu remarked." But, after only two days of shooting at this location, you become very aware of the mixture of old and new... the old buildings begin to take more of your attention because they are so fascinating."
Over 200 extras gathered at the Shanghai Car Ton and were directed to flee for their lives from Godzilla, who suddenly comes ashore at the famous international city. The extras were told that the monster king is full of anger and fury and were directed to react accordingly. They started with a look of shock and surprise, then began running in different directions as Godzilla stalked them towards the Oriental Pearl Tower and the famous Peace Restaurant.
But, perhaps the latest and greatest news concerns the true identity of the mysterious and H.R. Giger-inspired "Monster X," which has been the source of much speculation in both Japan and America. Inside sources have revealed exclusively to Henshin! Online that Monster X is indeed none other than a first stage creature which will transform into a new version of Godzilla's greatest foe, -- the "Monster of Monsters" -- King Ghidorah! The katakana (the Japanese writing system reserved for foreign words) spelling of the creature's name translates as "Kaiser-Ghidorah" (taken from the German word for "emperor"). Two suit actors will be required to operate the massive winged Kaiser-Ghidorah costume, similar in operation to the "Death Ghidorah" from REBIRTH OF MOTHRA.