Unveiling Spielberg's Emotional Reaction to Massive $525M Godzilla Reboot
Steven Spielberg's heartfelt review of the $525M Godzilla reboot left director Gareth Edwards in tears, solidifying both Edwards and the franchise's undeniable impact on Hollywood
Summary
Gareth Edwards' 2014 Godzilla reboot cemented both his place in Hollywood and the franchise's revival, leading to a larger MonsterVerse franchise.
Spielberg's review of Godzilla moved the director to tears, affirming his dedication and artistic perspective. Edwards' triumph with Godzilla and his subsequent film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story solidified his reputation as a dynamic talent to look out for in the entertainment industry.
During Gareth Edwards' press tour for Godzilla in 2014, Steven Spielberg, after viewing the $525M reboot, was deeply moved to tears. Spielberg's emotional reaction was a result of Edwards' portrayal of the iconic Kaiju, as the film depicted the awakening of the long-dormant creature amidst a global emergence of colossal beings, instilling fear and panic among humanity. This cinematic vision by Edwards marked the beginning of a new era for the US adaptations of Godzilla, as Legendary Entertainment capitalized on the film's success to introduce other beloved monsters like Ghidorah and King Kong. Now, as Edwards discusses his upcoming sci-fi epic The Creator on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, he reflects on the significant moment that occurred at the conclusion of the press tour.
After enduring the exhausting promotional period for Godzilla, Edwards received an unexpected email from renowned director Peter Jackson while enjoying a night out. The email contained a video of Spielberg himself reviewing Godzilla, which left Edwards deeply moved. Edwards shares the full account below:
Once we finally wrapped up the promotional obligations, which often involve countless interviews in front of cameras, Max Berenstein (the writer) and I decided to let loose and celebrate. We decided to go watch a movie at the Cineramadome, and afterwards, we planned to rent a house for a vibrant party with friends and acquaintances, complete with drinks and good company.
We arrived at the house party and I could sense a line forming of people eager to speak with me. Each person had a question related to the publicity tour, such as "What was it like working with Bryan Cranston?" and "What was it like...". Overwhelmed, I felt the need to escape. So, a friend and I ventured into Hollywood, inebriated. In the early morning hours, around 2 or 3AM, I checked my phone and noticed an email. The sender's email address was familiar—it belonged to Peter Jackson. Surprised by this communication, I opened the email and found a video attachment. I played the video, despite the loud nightclub environment in the background. In the video, there was a man with greying hair and a beard. I questioned if it was Gandalf. The situation felt strange and confusing...
Feeling the need for fresh air, I stepped outside and put on my headphones. As soon as I plugged them in, I instantly recognized the voice—it was Steven Spielberg. Peter Jackson had filmed Spielberg on his phone's camera and wanted to share something with me because he knew Gareth, the director of Godzilla, and believed I would be interested. Spielberg proceeded to discuss Godzilla, and it was a heartwarming moment for me. Overwhelmed with emotion, I began to weep. It was a rare occurrence for me to cry, but in that moment, it felt justified. All the struggles and pain I had endured felt worthwhile because of that brief video clip. It held immeasurable significance to me.
Godzilla 2014 Cemented Both Gareth Edwards And The Franchise's Place In Hollywood
Edwards' independent sci-fi horror film, Monsters, caught the attention of Hollywood studios in 2010. This led to his success in the industry with his next two features. Godzilla revived the franchise's US productions and prompted Toho to reboot their own series, becoming a critical and financial success. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story achieved similar success by showcasing Star Wars stories outside of the Skywalker Saga. These two films established Edwards as a talented director for large, popular properties.
Additionally, Godzilla's success allowed Legendary to create their own franchise called the MonsterVerse. Kong: Skull Island introduced King Kong in 2017, followed by Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 2019, which introduced Mothra, Ghidorah, and Rodan. The highly anticipated Godzilla vs. Kong was released in 2021, bringing the two iconic creatures together. The MonsterVerse expanded further with spin-off TV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire set to release in 2024. This franchise continues to enjoy ongoing success, with the 2014 Godzilla film ushering in a new era of giant monster movies after a period of silence for the genre.
Edwards' and Godzilla's later successes have solidified the director's position in contemporary Hollywood. However, the 2014 movie was released at a time when Edwards was still establishing himself in the industry. Additionally, Godzilla marked Edwards' debut in the realm of major features, and his admiration for Spielberg added to the overwhelming impact of the renowned director's words. As audiences anxiously anticipate Edwards' upcoming science fiction epic, his story serves as a heartwarming glimpse into a pivotal moment in his career.
