Had things worked out differently, Anguirus could have enjoyed a much more prominent presence inGodzilla’suniverse. Remembered as one ofGodzilla’s biggest allies, the ankylosaurus-like kaiju famously teamed up with the King of the Monsters inGodzilla vs. Gigan, and also joined the multitude of creatures in the fight against King Ghidorah inDestroy All Monsters. But in contrast to kaiju such as King Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, and Mechagodzilla, Anguirus has been never used consistently in the franchise.
It’s been 21 years since Anguirus last made a big-screen appearance, which happened via a cameo in 2004’sGodzilla: Final Wars. And even that was significant, considering that the role came after an even longer wait. Anguirus disappeared from relevance after his defeat at the beginning ofGodzilla vs. Mechagodzillain 1974. As a result, there have been two long stretches, including one that’s still ongoing, where Anguirus has had no place in the franchise. However, that’s not to say that abandoning him was Toho’s intention. In fact, multiple filmmakers had plans to utilize the fan-favorite kaiju.
Toho Cut Anguirus From 3 Godzilla Movies
Three of the movies released during the Millennium era originally called for Anguirus to appear in some capacity. The most notable of the three is the 2001 film now known asGodzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack. Before receiving that title, the project was calledGodzllla vs. Varan, Baragon, and Anguirus: All Monsters Attack Godzilla. The basic concept behind the story - three guardian monsters teaming up to battle an evil Godzilla - carried over to the finished project, butToho ultimately decided to swap Varan and Anguiruswith admittedly more popular kaiju in Mothra and Ghidorah.
Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack
2001
2002
2003
Cameo
According to Japanese magazineToho SF Special Effects Film Series: Godzilla x Mechagodzilla,Anguirus was supposed to feature inGodzilla Against Mechagodzillaas a secondary antagonist, but presumably wouldn’t have fought instead Godzilla. Instead, he would have battled the movie’s heroic take on Mechagodzilla, Kiryu. Afterward, the movie’s direct sequel,Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.,intended to give Anguirus a cameo in the form of a dead body, but ultimately scrapped the idea.
Anguirus Almost Appeared Immediately After His First Movie
Another reason for Anguirus' absence over such long periods stems from the simple fact that Toho didn’t move forward with many of the films it planned to include him in. Immediately after Anguirus' debut inGodzilla Raids Again, Toho had plans for a third Godzilla movie, titledBride of Godzilla?In theGodzilla Raids Againsequel, Anguirus would have returned as an enemy to Godzilla in a story that would pit both against a giant, robotic woman. However, the idea was scrapped, most likely due to the number of creatures demanding an extremely high budget.
Godzilla
The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the titular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.
