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Shun Oguri Makes Hollywood Debut in Godzilla vs. Kong
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
The Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web media news website reported on Monday that actor Shun Oguri (live-action Gintama, Gokusen, Hana Yori Dango) will make his Hollywood acting debut as a cast member in Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment's Godzilla vs. Kong film. Oguri's role has not yet been revealed, but Mantan Web describes it as an "important role."
The film's producer Álex García explained that Legendary and director Adam Wingard have thought highly of Oguri's work from the first time they saw him in director Takashi Miike's Crows Zero and Crows Zero II, to more recently with Gintama. Garcia is extremely thrilled that Oguri is joining the MonsterVerse franchise's Godzilla vs. Kong.
Oguri added that he has naturally had the desire to appear in Hollywood movies, so he couldn't help but be aware of how high the hurdles would be. However, after feeling the passion for this movie from the director, producer, and Legendary, he became greatly motivated to take on these hurdles. "The Godzilla our country created, beloved by audiences worldwide — I'm simply excited I can be part of this world myself. I think I will wholeheartedly enjoy being steeped in this world as an actor."
The staff of the movie is planning to begin filming in November in Hawaii and Australia.
The rest of the film's cast so far includes Julian Dennison (Deapool 2), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), Demián Bichir (The Nun), Eiza González (Baby Driver), and Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies). The Hollywood Reporter previously reported that Van Marten (Avengers: Infinity War), Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and Rebecca Hall (The Prestige, Iron Man 3) are part of the cast.
Adam Wingard (Death Note, The Guest, You're Next) is directing the film.
Legendary Entertainment set up a writer's room led by Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean films) to write the new film's script in March 2017. Other writers involved in the script include Patrick McKay, J.D. Payne (Star Trek Beyond), Lindsey Beer, Cat Vasko, T.S. Nowlin (Maze Runner), Jack Paglen (Transcendence), and J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5).
Godzilla vs. Kong is slated for May 22, 2020.
Legendary licensed the Godzilla film rights in 2010, and produced Gareth Edwards' 2014 Godzilla film. The film opened in the United States in May 2014, and earned over US$500 million worldwide. The sequel, Godzilla: King of Monsters, is currently slated for March 22, 2019.
Legendary Pictures moved the Kong: Skull Island prequel movie film, which it was producing with Universal Studios, to Warner Bros. in September 2015 to allow for the possibility of the Godzilla vs. Kong crossover. Warner Bros. is planning to develop a new "ecosystem" of both new and classic giant super-species.
Source: The Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web
