Creating New Iconic Monsters

[Major sssspielberg!]

I really want to see a solo Rodan movie again. And in my head, the opponent would naturally be Megaguirus, but the thing about solo movies with Toho heavy hitters, is it's a great opportunity for new cool kaiju!
For instance, Rebirth of Mothra 2 might be whack but Dagara is a really cool kaiju.

[John Pannozzi]

Note quite the same thing but Disney turned B league Marvel superheroes like Ironman and Thor into A Listers, and A Listers like the X-Men into cultural backburners in the span of two decades, so it's not impossible. It's all a matter of success, and circumstances, and some effort. Things I can't ever associate with Toho/WB at the moment.

And with DC, Harley Quinn was introduced over 50 years after Batman and the Joker, and yet she's become pretty darn iconic.

[mikelcho]

Note quite the same thing but Disney turned B league Marvel superheroes like Ironman and Thor into A Listers, and A Listers like the X-Men into cultural backburners in the span of two decades, so it's not impossible. It's all a matter of success, and circumstances, and some effort. Things I can't ever associate with Toho/WB at the moment.

And with DC, Harley Quinn was introduced over 50 years after Batman and the Joker, and yet she's become pretty darn iconic.

I think Harley's only been around a little over 25 or at least 30 years, as mentioned in the DC hardcover book Harley Quinn: A celebration of 25 Years (2017).

[JAGzilla]

Harley Quinn first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. It's worth noting that she originated outside of the comic book source material, was adapted into the comics, and has grown into a household name. So, in theory, a new kaiju doesn't need to make its first appearance in a movie to become a big name. Not that such a scenario is likely, if course. Harley was very much lightning in a bottle.

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

I believe that embracing figures or symbols from Japanese culture could create some truly interesting kaiju that don't have to fall under the "Well it has Godzilla or x monster's DNA!" category, which in hindsight we've had for the past thirty years give or take. Say, it is said that tigers and dragons in both Japanese & Chinese folklore are comparable in strength, so perhaps a uniquely designed tiger kaiju could work in theory. I say this since we already have Manda & King Caesar, both of whom are clearly based off respective legends. And the Ultra series recently had a repainted kaiju fit the Singapore merlion, which was wonderful in representing that country's culture.

I'm just spitballing a way to approach creating a new monster that could decently become more prominent than recent new creations. There are several ways to do it. Because another factor is just appearing in a good film that gains traction. Kinda like the Harley Quinn analogy above, one of the reasons she really took off was because she was in something great - the animated series. Another example is how X23 was created for the X-Men Evolution show, and she become a famous character of her own whose reappeared in countless other media.

[edgaguirus]

Old legends may help, but not always. Gabara is Oni like, but has only appeared twice, if you count Salunga. Orochi hasn't hit it big either, though you could argue that both monsters were in less than stellar movies.

[darthzilla99]

Old legends may help, but not always. Gabara is Oni like, but has only appeared twice, if you count Salunga. Orochi hasn't hit it big either, though you could argue that both monsters were in less than stellar movies.

Ghidorah already fills the multi-headed dragon/serpent niche, so I think that's part of why Orochi hasn't taken off.

[JAGzilla]

And Gabara co-starred with Barney-voiced Minya and a Kenny in short shorts. If he'd appeared in literally any other movie, I'm sure he'd have a vocal cult following like Varan or Gorosaurus.

[Gigantis]

I could see Orochi tying into Ghidorah if he ever returned. Maybe a bizarre subspecies, who lacked wings yet grew extra heads, that crash landed down to Earth oh so long ago. But of course, he awakens in modern day, fights Godzilla blah blah blah blah blah.

Technically speaking though, he wouldn't be "new" because he's appeared in previous Toho projects, he WOULD be new to the Godzilla franchise, only appearing in comic books till that point. And I'd say his return to film is needed; monster designs aside, Yamato Takeru was.. not very good.

[Legion1979]

You guys talk about Orochi like it was something unique and special. It's a hydra, a creature that's been brought to life in countless different movies. I could see the monster coming back if Toho ever does another take on The Three Treasures, but they probably won't.

[LSD Jellyfish]

You guys talk about Orochi like it was something unique and special. It's a hydra, a creature that's been brought to life in countless different movies. I could see the monster coming back if Toho ever does another take on The Three Treasures, but they probably won't.

More specifically, it's a major part of Japanese folklore and Shintoism, impossible to actually trademark or control. Funnily enough, that's exactly how Orochi was able to make a new appearance in Godzilla Rage Across Time issue #1.

[edgaguirus]

They can still trademark the kaiju's design.