James Gunn says Superman inspired by Godzilla Minus One, sharing that the upcoming DC film takes cues from Takashi Yamazaki’s soulful monster movie. After Gunn revealed this connection, Yamazaki expressed sincere emotion, highlighting a rare bond between the filmmakers’ creative visions.
James Gunn Draws Inspiration from Godzilla for Superman’s Human Story
The influence of Godzilla Minus One on Superman goes beyond surface similarities. In particular, Gunn praised Yamazaki’s blend of epic spectacle and deeply rooted human drama as a blueprint for his own work on Clark Kent’s story. As Gunn emphasized,
My goal is to make a film like Godzilla Minus One, which depicted Godzilla but also had great human drama,
—James Gunn, Director
Continuing this sentiment, Gunn clarified that beneath the epic narrative lies a focus on genuine relationships, stating,
At its core is a human story,
—James Gunn, Director
and further pinpointed the film’s central dynamic by stating,
The relationship between Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and villain Lex Luthor is at the core of the work.
—James Gunn, Director
Reflecting on this praise from an established Hollywood director, Takashi Yamazaki admitted on social media, “Yeah, I’m a little teary-eyed,” moved by the thought that his work resonated in such a profound way. Yamazaki is recognized for writing and directing Godzilla Minus One, as well as supervising the film’s Oscar-winning visual effects.
Hollywood Recognizes the Impact of Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One earned worldwide recognition as one of the most emotionally compelling Godzilla films upon its release. By following the journey of Kōichi Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot who develops PTSD in post-war Japan, the film was celebrated for blending monster spectacle with a riveting narrative about trauma and new beginnings. Its success has clearly rippled through the film industry, from Warner Bros. to directors shaping emerging superhero franchises at DC.
The positive reception reached beyond the DC universe. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige also took note of Yamazaki’s approach to action. Yamazaki previously shared Feige’s comments, stating,
The president of Marvel told me, ‘Wadatsumi!’
—Takashi Yamazaki, Director
referring to a daring operation featured at the film’s climax. Yamazaki continued,
He told me, ‘We’re all having meetings every day to see if we can make it happen like that,’
—Takashi Yamazaki, Director
and then modestly added,
I think it’s just lip service.
—Takashi Yamazaki, Director
Superman’s Upcoming Release and Its Broader Influence
Superman, directed by James Gunn, marks the opening chapter of DC Studios’ new era, officially dubbed “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters,” and is set to premiere on July 11. Warner Bros. has already previewed an early cut of the film and reportedly believes Gunn has captured the essence of the assignment. This creative convergence illustrates how recent hits like Godzilla Minus One can reshape familiar genres and inspire new storytelling approaches for both DC and Marvel.
With anticipation building ahead of its release, Gunn’s candid references to Godzilla Minus One suggest an era where blockbuster superhero stories may increasingly prioritize human drama along with grand spectacle. As the industry reflects on the heartfelt influence shared between filmmakers such as James Gunn, Takashi Yamazaki, and Kevin Feige, audiences might witness more stories where emotional depth and character relationships are given center stage.
