New Film from Godzilla Minus One Director Takashi Yamazaki: Grandgear Coming in 2028
Director Takashi Yamazaki, who achieved worldwide success with Godzilla Minus One and brought the first Oscar in the visual effects category to Japanese cinema, has set his sights on Hollywood for his next project. The director's highly anticipated first English-language film, Grandgear, is officially scheduled to meet audiences in February 2028. This massive production, which will be brought to life in collaboration with Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures, has already excited science fiction and anime fans with its "kaiju robots" theme.
The Grandgear project is not just a job where Yamazaki will sit in the director's chair; he is also writing the film's screenplay. The immense visual quality Yamazaki delivered despite the low budget of Godzilla Minus One has placed him in a unique position in the industry. The director, who is also expected to personally oversee the visual effects (VFX) for his new film, aims to blend Japan's deep-rooted monster and robot culture with Western cinema. While filming is planned to begin very soon, it is stated that the project will focus on epic battles between giant robots and giant monsters.
Looking at the director's career, we see that he is no stranger to this genre. Having proven his talent in drama with the Always: Sunset on Third Street series, Yamazaki demonstrated his mastery in bringing CGI and anime aesthetics to cinema with productions such as Space Battleship Yamato, Lupin III: The First, and Dragon Quest: Your Story. Grandgear will be the director's first major test in combining these technical skills with a global budget and cast. Especially for viewers who love works like Pacific Rim or Evangelion, this film is seen as a modern interpretation of the genre.
This development comes at a time when the influence of Japanese creators in the global market is increasing. What Takashi Yamazaki can achieve with a Hollywood-standard budget is a matter of great curiosity in the cinema world. Although the February 2028 release date may seem far off, the first leaks and concept designs from the production process are already on the community's radar. More information regarding the cast and story details is expected to be shared in the coming months.
