View source for Godzilla (TriStar)

{{short description|Fictional character/Kaiju}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Godzilla (TriStar)
| franchise = [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' film series]]
| image = Godzilla (1998).jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = TriStar's Godzilla (left) as featured in the 1998 film and Zilla (right) as featured in ''Godzilla: Final Wars''.
| first = ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1998)
| last = ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004)
| based_on = {{Based on|[[Godzilla]]|[[Toho|Toho Co., Ltd.]]}}
| adapted_by = [[Dean Devlin]]<br>[[Roland Emmerich]]
| designer = [[Patrick Tatopoulos]]
| portrayer = Kurt Carley <br>(suit actor)<ref name="kc">{{cite web|url=http://www.tohokingdom.com/articles/2014-11-07_nakajima_carley_godzilla_1954_1998.html|title=Nakajima and Carley: Godzilla's 1954 and 1998|last=Mirjahangir|first=Chris|work=Toho Kingdom|date=November 7, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2015|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103014738/https://www.tohokingdom.com/blog/haruo-nakajima-and-kurt-carley-godzilla-1954-and-godzilla-1998/}}</ref>
| voice ={{plainlist| 
* Scott Martin Gershin
* Gary A. Hecker
* [[Frank Welker]]<br> (vocal effects)<ref name="Frank">{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/frank-welker-master-many-voices|title=Frank Welker: Master of Many Voices|last=Miller|first=Bob|work=Animation World Network|date=April 1, 2000|access-date=March 24, 2018|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112190549/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/frank-welker-master-many-voices}}</ref>
}}
| alias = {{Plainlist|
* Godzilla '98<ref name="FSR">{{cite web|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/godzilla-1998-isnt-as-bad-as-you-remember/|title='Godzilla' (1998) Isn't As Bad As You Remember|first=Kieran|last=Fisher|work=Film School Rejects|date=May 23, 2018|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-date=March 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304005227/https://filmschoolrejects.com/godzilla-1998-isnt-as-bad-as-you-remember/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* TriStar Godzilla{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=222}}{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=229}}
* American Godzilla<ref name="Chris"/>
* Godzilla-USA<ref name="ReferenceA">[[Godzilla Generations]] 1998 [[Sega Dreamcast]] game</ref>
* French Godzilla{{sfn|Oki|2017|p=205}}
}}
| species = Mutated amphibious reptile
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''Godzilla''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|ɒ|d|ˈ|z|ɪ|l|ə}} {{respell|ɡod|ZIL|ə}})|ゴジラ|Gojira|lead=yes|{{IPA|ja|ɡoꜜʑiɾa|IPA|Ja-Godzilla.oga|small=no}}|group=lower-alpha}} is a giant monster, or ''[[kaiju]]'', based on [[Toho|Toho Co., Ltd.]]'s [[Godzilla|character of the same name]]. The character first appeared in the 1998 film ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'', released by [[TriStar Pictures]]. Designed by [[Patrick Tatopoulos]], it was modeled after [[iguana]]s with a slim [[theropod]] appearance rather than the thick, bipedal designs of Toho's Godzilla. It is the second incarnation of Godzilla to be reimagined by an American studio, after [[Hanna-Barbera]]'s 1978 animated series ''[[Godzilla (1978 TV series)|Godzilla]]''. Initial reception towards the 1998 film and its version of Godzilla were generally negative, however, both would receive reappraise in later years. Reception for the animated sequel ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'' was more favorable. 

In 2004, a new iteration of TriStar's Godzilla was featured in Toho's 2004 film ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' as {{Nihongo|'''Zilla'''|ジラ|Jira}}. That version has since appeared in various media under the “Zilla” trademark, but with the variants from the 1998 film and ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'' retaining the ''Godzilla'' copyright and trademark.

==Overview==
===TriStar era (1998-2000)===
[[File:Kurt Carley Godzilla Suit.jpg|thumb|150px|Kurt Carley in the adult Godzilla suit.]]
During the production of the 1998 film, special effects artist [[Patrick Tatopoulos]] was contacted by director Roland Emmerich and asked to create a new design for the Godzilla character. According to Tatopoulos, the only specific instructions Emmerich gave him was that it should be able to run incredibly fast.{{sfn|Rickitt|2006|p=74-76}} Emmerich intended to depict the character as an animal rather than a monster.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=334}} Godzilla was originally conceived by special effects director [[Eiji Tsubaraya]], special effects designers [[Akira Watanabe (art director)|Akira Wantanabe]] and Teizo Toshimitsu and producer [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] as a robust, erect-standing, [[plantigrade]] reptilian sea monster, played by an actor in a rubber-latex full-body suit. Based on the instructions Emmerich gave him, Tatopoulos reimagined it as a lean, [[digitigrade]] bipedal iguana that stood with its back and tail parallel to the ground, rendered via computer animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theasc.com/magazine/jun98/godzilla/art1/pg1.htm |title=Godzilla Lives! - page 1 |publisher=Theasc.com |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> The monster's distinctive facial features include a prominent [[Prognathism|lantern jaw]], inspired by the fictional tiger [[Shere Khan]] from [[Disney]]'s animated adaptation of ''[[The Jungle Book]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2013/04/story-notes-trivia-godzilla.php |title=Story Notes for Godzilla |publisher=Blogs.amctv.com |date=April 30, 2013 |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref>

TriStar's Godzilla color scheme was designed to reflect and blend in with the urban environment.{{sfn|Rickitt|2006|p=74-76}} At one point, it was planned to use [[motion capture]] to create the movements of the computer-generated monster, but it ended up looking too much like a man in a suit.{{sfn|Rickitt|2000|p=174}} The Baby Godzilla scenes utilized a combination of CGI and purpose built costumes donned by actors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it2oxGrYa98 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/it2oxGrYa98| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Godzilla - Behind the Scenes - FX & Baby Godzilla Costumes etc.|work=YouTube|date=March 10, 2011 |access-date=October 5, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Kurt Carley portrayed the [[suitmation]] sequences for the adult Godzilla in the 1998 film<ref name="kc"/> while [[Voice acting|voice actor]] [[Frank Welker]], [[Foley (filmmaking)|foley artist]] Gary A. Hecker, and the film's [[Sound design|sound designer]] Scott Martin Gershin provided additional vocals for both Godzilla and its offspring.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scott Martin Gershin on Sound Design and Movies - Waves Audio |url=https://www.waves.com/scott-martin-gershin-on-sound-design-for-movies |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=waves.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Behind the Voice Actors - Godzilla |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Godzilla/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref><ref name="Frank"/> Upon pending approval for the design, at the time, [[Shōgo Tomiyama]] commented on the new look, saying "It was so different we realized we couldn't make small adjustments. That left the major question of whether to approve it or not."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-13-ca-3197-story.html |title='Godzilla' Returns Home Something of a Stranger - Los Angeles Times |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=July 13, 1998 |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> Though TriStar's Godzilla was referred to by the film's characters as a "he", Patrick Tatopoulos stated on a DVD audio commentary that the effects crew sculpted female genitalia into the CG model of the creature.<ref>Patrick Tatopoulos; Godzilla 1998 Region 1 DVD special features, "Special FX Supervisor Commentary" (Scene 14: "He's pregnant.")</ref>

In the 1998 film and animated series, TriStar's Godzilla is portrayed as a territorial, [[piscivore|piscivorous]], {{convert|180|ft|m|2}} tall{{sfn|Molstad|1998|p=130}}<ref name="SciFi Japan">{{cite web |url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2006/03/28/godzilla-the-series/ |title=The Ultimate Guide to GODZILLA: THE SERIES |work=SciFi Japan |access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref> mutated lizard. Atypical of Toho's giant monster characters, TriStar's Godzilla is not immune to conventional weaponry, and instead relies on its cunning and athleticism to outflank its enemies. It can travel long distances over land and sea, burrow underground and reproduce via [[parthenogenesis]], and is able to lay over 200 eggs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thewrap.com/godzilla-5-things-roland-emmerichs-1998-version-did-better/ |title='Godzilla': 5 Things Roland Emmerich's 1998 Version Did Better - TheWrap |work=TheWrap |date=May 21, 2014 |access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref> unlike its offspring in the animated series which was unable to reproduce.<ref name="SciFi Japan"/> It possesses an ignitable radioactive breath weapon called "Power Breath", although its offspring could breathe a green atomic Power Breath in the animated series (where also the parent, resurrected as a [[cyborg]] called Cyber-Godzilla,  possessed a blue version), in which it was pitted against a [[rogues gallery]] of original monsters, after the producers were unable to secure the rights to adapt Toho's classic monsters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2006/03/28/godzilla-the-series/ |title=The Ultimate Guide to Godzilla: The Series|publisher=SciFi Japan |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> It was also featured in advertisements alongside the [[Taco Bell chihuahua]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvacres.com/adanimals_tacobell.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205075423/http://www.tvacres.com/adanimals_tacobell.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |title=Advertising > Animal Mascots > Gidget the Dog (Taco Bell) |publisher=Tv Acres |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=January 22, 2014 }}</ref>

===Toho era (2004-current)===
[[File:Godzilla vs. Zilla concept art.png|thumb|150px|right|Early concept artwork depicting the showdown between Godzilla and Zilla in ''Godzilla: Final Wars''.]]
During production of ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', director [[Ryuhei Kitamura]] asked producer Shōgo Tomiyama whether or not they were allowed to include TriStar's Godzilla in the film. Tomiyama checked Toho's contract with [[Sony]] and saw they were allowed to use it, stating, "since this was the 50th anniversary film, I thought ‘Why not include the American Godzilla?'" This incarnation of TriStar's Godzilla was named "Zilla".<ref name="g94">{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/godzilla-toho/godzilla-unmade-the-history-of-jan-de-bonts-unproduced-tristar-film-part-4-of-4|title=Godzilla Unmade: The History of Jan De Bont's Unproduced TriStar Film – Part 4 of 4|last=Aiken|first=Keith|work=SciFi Japan|date=May 31, 2015|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140106/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2015/05/31/godzilla-unmade-the-history-of-jan-de-bonts-unproduced-tristar-film-part-4-of-4/}}</ref> This decision was made because they also felt that Emmerich's film had taken the "God" out of "Godzilla" by portraying the character as a mere animal, however, Kitamura admitted to "liking" the 1998 film and Emmerich's works.<ref name="penny">{{cite web|url=http://www.pennyblood.com/godzilla2.html |title=Godzilla Stomps into Los Angeles |last=Schaefer |first=Mark |work=Penny Blood |date=November 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050203181104/http://www.pennyblood.com/godzilla2.html |archive-date=February 3, 2005}}</ref> The name "Zilla" was chosen for the character by Tomiyama as a satirical take on [[counterfeit]] Godzilla products that use [[-zilla|"Zilla" as a suffix]].<ref name="counter">{{cite web|url=http://www.monsterzero.us/editorials/editorials.php?catID=Nws&subCatID=15&contentID=524 |title=Godzilla vs Zilla |last1=Figurski|first1=Jim|last2=Matsuda|first2=Takashi|publisher=Monster Zero News |date=August 27, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024093918/http://www.monsterzero.us/editorials/editorials.php?catID=Nws&subCatID=15&contentID=524 |archive-date=October 24, 2005 }}</ref>

A 3D scan of the [[Trendmasters]] "Ultimate Godzilla" toy was used as reference for Zilla.<ref name="Lost Trendmasters">{{cite web |url=https://www.scifijapan.com/merchandise/godzilla-the-series-the-lost-trendmasters-toy-line|title=Godzilla: The Series - The Lost Trendmasters Toy Line|first1=Jonathan|last1=Shyman|first2=Keith|last2=Aiken|work=SciFi Japan |access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref> In the film, Zilla engages Toho's Godzilla in a battle intended "to show which Godzilla is stronger".<ref name="g94"/> Zilla would fight Godzilla again in a slightly longer battle, and even team up with Godzilla to fight other monsters, in the comic series by [[IDW Publishing]] titled ''Godzilla: Rulers of Earth'' running between 2013 and 2015.<ref name="Chris">{{cite web|url=https://comicbookmovie.com/comics/comics-writer-chris-mowry-gives-insight-on-idws-godzilla-rulers-of-earth-a80739|title=Comics: Writer Chris Mowry Gives Insight On IDW's Godzilla: Rulers of Earth|author=OniGoji|work=Comic Book Movie|date=June 2, 2013|access-date=January 2, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102194923/https://www.comicbookmovie.com/amp/comics/comics-writer-chris-mowry-gives-insight-on-idws-godzilla-rulers-of-earth-a80739}}</ref>

The "Zilla" trademark has led to confusion by fans over the character's relationship to TriStar's Godzilla and the possibilities of rebranding. Matt Frank (co-writer and illustrator of IDW Comics' ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'') clarified, "Toho makes zero distinction between 'Zilla' and 'Godzilla 1998' with the exception of title alone. Ever since 2004, Toho's official stance has been that any future incarnations of the character be referred to hereafter as 'Zilla'."<ref name="g94"/><ref name="mf">{{cite web|url=http://comments.deviantart.com/1/365062300/3045263732|title=Matt Frank on Zilla|last=Frank|first=Matt|work=Deviant Art|date=May 9, 2013|access-date=September 3, 2015}}</ref> Keith Aiken (co-editor of SciFi Japan) also clarified that "'Zilla' is a variation of the '1998 Godzilla' but stressed that only the incarnations from the 1998 film and the animated series retain the Godzilla copyright and trademark.<ref name="kaf">{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/rw74Yk0.jpg|title=Keith Aiken Facebook|last=Aiken|first=Keith|work=Facebook|date=August 17, 2015|access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref><ref name="g94"/>

==Reception==
The design and characterization of TriStar's Godzilla was negatively received.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nuketown.com/movies/reviews/cloverfield |title=Cloverfield: The monster movie Godzilla should have been |date=July 31, 2010 |publisher=Nuketown |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> Film critic Richard Pusateri of ''G-Fan Magazine'' coined the [[acronym]] '''GINO''' ("'''G'''odzilla '''I'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly") to distinguish it from Toho's Godzilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/content/staff-contributors#RichardPusateri|title=Staff & Contributors SciFi Japan |publisher=SciFi Japan|date= |access-date=August 27, 2021}}</ref> while other publications referred to it as the "American Godzilla".<ref name="counter"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/dvd-blu-ray-digital/dvd-reviews-godzilla-monster-edition-and-godzilla-the-series|title=DVD Reviews: Godzilla: Monster Edition and Godzilla: The Series|last=Aiken|first=Keith|work=SciFi Japan|date=March 24, 2006|access-date=August 27, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827181915/https://www.scifijapan.com/dvd-blu-ray-digital/dvd-reviews-godzilla-monster-edition-and-godzilla-the-series}}</ref>

Tom Breihan from ''[[Deadspin]]'' stated that TriStar's Godzilla "wasn't motherfucking Godzilla at all," elaborating that the character was treated like a "tapped animal", lacked Godzilla's signature blue atomic breath, ran and hid, caused less damage, and that Emmerich and Devlin had "completely missed the entire point" of Godzilla.<ref name="con">{{cite web|url=http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/worst-godzilla-ever-why-japan-hated-and-murked-the-1-1573686109|title=Worst Godzilla Ever: Why Japan Hated (And Murked) The '98 U.S. Remake|last=Breihan|first=Tom|work=The Concourse|publisher=[[Deadspin]]|access-date=April 11, 2018|date=May 12, 2014|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619165255/https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/worst-godzilla-ever-why-japan-hated-and-murked-the-1-1573686109|url-status=live}}</ref>

These sentiments were echoed by veteran ''Godzilla'' suit actors [[Haruo Nakajima]] and [[Kenpachiro Satsuma]], and by [[Shusuke Kaneko]], director of the '90s ''[[Gamera]]'' films. Nakajima ridiculed the character design, stating: "Its face looks like an iguana and its body and limbs look like a frog".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/05/10/godzilla-is-back-and-bigger-then-ever/|title=Godzilla is back and bigger than ever|last=Getlen|first=Larry|work=New York Post|date=May 10, 2014|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> Satsuma walked out of the film, saying "it's not Godzilla, it doesn't have his spirit".{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=344}} Kaneko opined "[Americans] seem unable to accept a creature that cannot be put down by their arms",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19980711/19250874.html |title=The US version |publisher=Expressindia.indianexpress.com |date=July 11, 1998 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015195729/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19980711/19250874.html |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and later alluded to the character in his film ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'' as a monster that Americans mistook for Godzilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godzillatemple.com/movie25.htm |title=Barry's Temple of Godzilla - Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: All Monsters Attack |publisher=Godzillatemple.com |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> [[Thomas Tull]] (producer of [[MonsterVerse|Legendary's ''Godzilla'' series]]) criticized the design of TriStar's Godzilla, stating, "I’m always puzzled as a fan when you take things so far it’s unrecognizable."<ref name="Roar Again">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/features/thomas-tull-gareth-edwards-godzilla-1201172297/|title=How 'Godzilla' Roared Again with Director Gareth Edwards, Legendary's Thomas Tull|last=Graser|first=Marc|work=Variety|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-date=February 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228165945/https://variety.com/2014/film/features/thomas-tull-gareth-edwards-godzilla-1201172297/}}</ref> Toho publicist Yosuke Ogura later called TriStar's design a "disaster."<ref name="SR 98">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/godzilla-1998-movie-toho-hated-reason-millennium-series/|title=Why Toho Hated The 1998 Godzilla Movie (& What Happened After)|author=Nicholas Raymond|work=Screen Rant|date=March 5, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307081727/https://screenrant.com/godzilla-1998-movie-toho-hated-reason-millennium-series/}}</ref>

The animated version of the character was more positively received than its live-action predecessor, due to being closer in line with the spirit of [[Godzilla|Toho's Godzilla]], possessing the ability to breathe atomic fire, battle monsters, and withstand attacks.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cullum |first=Brett |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/godzillaanimated.php|title=DVD Verdict - Godzilla: The Series |publisher=DVD Verdict |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://japancinema.net/2013/06/05/godzilla-the-series-review-2/ |title=Godzilla: The Series – Review |publisher=Japan Cinema |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> However, the negative response to both Emmerich's ''Godzilla'' as well as the [[Disney]] remake of ''[[Mighty Joe Young (1998 film)|Mighty Joe Young]]'' released that same year, had caused giant monster movies to fall out of vogue for several years after, with films such as [[Peter Jackson]]'s [[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'' remake]] being postponed until 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonic-cinema.com/film_reviews_individual/133/king-kong |title=King Kong::film review |publisher=sonic-cinema.com |access-date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> Poor merchandise sales for the film led to a cancellation of a toy line based on ''Godzilla: The Series'', and resulted in significant financial losses for toy manufacturer Trendmasters.<ref name="Trendmasters">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/01/07/godzilla-the-series-the-lost-trendmasters-toy-line/|title=Godzilla: The Series - The Lost Trendmasters Toy Line|last1=Shyman|first1=Jonathan|last2=Aiken|first2=Keith|work=SciFi Japan|date=May 2012|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> Nicholas Raymond from ''[[Screen Rant]]'' described Toho's subsequent treatment of TriStar's Godzilla as "a clear sign that Toho doesn't regard the 1998 Godzilla as the King of the Monsters. It would appear that to them, he's just a giant lizard."<ref name="SR 98"/>

In later years, the 1998 film and its version of Godzilla would receive reappraise from journalist and fans that grew up with the film.<ref name="FSR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/05/1998-godzilla-defense|title=In Defense of the 1998 Godzilla|first=John|last=Devore|work=Vanity Fair|date=May 15, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2025|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/01/godzilla-1998-roland-emmerich-monster-movie|title=Hear me out: why 1998's Godzilla isn't a bad movie|first=Edward|last=Tew|work=The Guardian|date=February 1, 2021|access-date=June 21, 2025|url-status=live|archive-date=June 21, 2025|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/OKrCm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/godzilla-1998-movie/|title=Why the Worst ‘Godzilla’ Movie Isn’t as Bad as Its Reputation|first=Emmanuel|last=Ronquillo|work=Collider|date=March 10, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2025|url-status=live|archive-date=June 21, 2025|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/BmbHO}}</ref> Ten years after the film's release, director and co-writer [[Roland Emmerich]] felt the film was better than what critics said it was and said that the film is a favorite amongst his friends' kids.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gilchrist|first=Todd|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20040528/features/rolandemmerich.shtml|title=The Day After Tomorrow: An Interview with Roland Emmerich|work=BlackFilm.com|access-date=November 6, 2011|date=May 2008|archive-date=March 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306110853/http://www.blackfilm.com/20040528/features/rolandemmerich.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> While promoting ''Godzilla: Final Wars'', director Ryuhei Kitamura admitted that he "liked" both the 1998 film and Emmerich's films.<ref name="penny"/> In 2024, filmmaker [[Takashi Yamazaki]], director and writer of Toho's 2023 film ''[[Godzilla Minus One]]'', spoke favorably of the 1998 film. He felt that on its own merits, the 1998 film is "fun" and "quite well executed" and was technologically a huge achievement but understood why some are hesitant to consider it part of the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moviemaker.com/godzilla-minus-one-takashi-yamazaki-oppenheimer/|title=Takashi Yamazaki on the'Striking' Connection Between Godzilla Minus One and Oppenheimer |first=Joshua |last=Encinias |work=MovieMaker |date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228201509/https://www.moviemaker.com/godzilla-minus-one-takashi-yamazaki-oppenheimer/}}</ref>

Despite the 1998 film's initial negative reception, its animated sequel ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'' earned successful ratings and was more popular with fans of Toho's Godzilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/reviews/dvd-reviews-godzilla-monster-edition-and-godzilla-the-series |title=DVD Reviews: Godzilla: Monster Edition and Godzilla: The Series|first=Keith|last=Aiken|work=SciFi Japan|date=March 24, 2006|access-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023060804/https://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2006/03/24/dvd-reviews-godzilla-monster-edition-and-godzilla-the-series/ |archive-date=October 23, 2007}}</ref>

==Appearances==
{{multiple image
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| footer            = TriStar's Godzilla has been featured in other media outside of TriStar-produced content under various aliases.
| image1            = Godzilla Trading Battle Coverart.png
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = 
| image2            = Zilla in Rulers of Earth.jpg
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = 
}}

TriStar's Godzilla has only made two film appearances in ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1998) and ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004) and was vaguely referenced in ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'' (2001). TriStar originally planned to produce a trilogy,<ref>{{cite news|title=TriStar lands monster of deal with 'Godzilla'|url=https://variety.com/1992/film/news/tristar-lands-monster-of-deal-with-godzilla-100893/|first=John|last=Evan Frook|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 29, 1992|access-date=May 10, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510202320/https://variety.com/1992/film/news/tristar-lands-monster-of-deal-with-godzilla-100893/}}</ref> and [[Tab Murphy]] was commissioned by Emmerich and Devlin to write a story treatment for ''Godzilla 2''. However, the sequels were cancelled due to the 1998 film's poor reception and TriStar let their remake/sequel rights expire on May 20, 2003.<ref name="g94"/> An animated television series, ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'', was produced instead and served as a sequel to the 1998 film.<ref name="Ultimate Guide">{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/anime-animation/godzilla-the-series|title=The Ultimate Guide to Godzilla: The Series|last1=Johnson|first1=Bob|last2=Aiken|first2=Keith|work=SciFi Japan|date=March 28, 2006|access-date=April 15, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615194946/https://www.scifijapan.com/anime-animation/godzilla-the-series}}</ref> It featured the surviving offspring from the 1998 film as the new Godzilla, as well as a reanimated cyborg version of its parent, named "Cyber-Godzilla".<ref name="Ultimate Guide"/> 

For the video games ''[[Godzilla: Save the Earth]]'' and ''[[Godzilla: Unleashed]]'', developer Simon Strange decided not to include Zilla due to the character's unpopularity among fans. Strange received criticism from fans for not including Zilla in ''Godzilla: Unleashed''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tohokingdom.com/images/vg/project-g/simon-podcast_2.4.mp3|title=Podcast 2.4|format=MP3|publisher=Tohokingdom.com|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tohokingdom.com/images/vg/project-g/simon-podcast_2.3.mp3|title=Podcast 2.3|format=MP3|publisher=Tohokingdom.com|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref> In 2024, the children's web series ''Godziban'' introduced a bright pink female Zilla character named "Zillala" as a co-host for its ''Go! Godzi Godzi BANBAN'' segment.

===Films===
* ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004) – as Zilla

===Television===
* ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'' (1998–2000) - with Cyber-Godzilla
* ''Godziban'' (2019-present) - as Zillala

===Video games===
* ''Godzilla Online'' ([[CD-ROM]] – 1998)
* ''Godzilla – The Aftermath'' ([[Online]] – 1998)
* ''G-Patrol VR Combat Simulator'' (Online – 1998)
* ''Godzilla'' ([[LCD]] – 1998)
* ''Godzilla: Virtual Shakin''' (LCD – 1998)
* ''Godzilla'' ([[Pinball]] – 1998)
* ''[[Godzilla Trading Battle]]'' ([[PlayStation]] – 1998)
* ''[[Godzilla Generations]]'' ([[Dreamcast]] – 1998) – as Godzilla-USA
* ''Godzilla: The Series'' ([[Game Boy Color]] – 1999)
* ''Godzilla: The Series – Monster Wars'' (Game Boy Color – 2000)
* ''Godzilla: Kaiju Collection'' ([[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]] – 2015) – as Zilla

===Literature===
* ''Godzilla'' by Stephen Molstad (novel – 1998)
* ''Godzilla'' by H. B. Gilmour (novel – 1998)
* ''Godzilla: A Junior Novelization'' by H. B. Gilmour (novel – 1998)
* ''Godzilla'' by Kimberly Weinberger (book – 1998)
* ''Godzilla: Attack of the Baby Godzillas'' by Gina Shaw (book – 1998)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#Fox Kids Magazine Godzilla comics|Fox Kids Magazine – Godzilla: The Series]]'' (comic – 1998)
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Rulers of Earth]]'' (comic – 2013–2015) – as Zilla
* ''[[Godzilla (comics)#IDW Publishing|Godzilla: Oblivion]]'' (comic – 2016) – as Zilla
* ''Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse'' (novel – 2017) – as Zilla or French Godzilla{{sfn|Oki|2017|p=205}}

===Music===
Tracks from the 1998 film's soundtrack ''[[Godzilla: The Album]]'' make references to TriStar's Godzilla and even feature the character in a few music videos.<ref name="Album">{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/things-learned-about-1998-from-godzilla-soundtrack.html|title=6 Things We Learned About 1998 From the Godzilla Soundtrack|last1=Weber|first1=Lindsey|last2=Fox|first2=Jesse David|work=Vulture|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=March 27, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430194607/https://www.vulture.com/2014/05/things-learned-about-1998-from-godzilla-soundtrack.html}}</ref>

===Cultural references===
* Cross-promotional tie-ins for the 1998 movie included commercials and advertisements for [[Taco Bell]] (where Godzilla crossed paths with the [[Taco Bell chihuahua]]),<ref name="g94"/> [[Dreyer's]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/monster-premiere-godzilla-invades-new-york-opening-summer-film-season-article-1.796955|title=A Monster of a Premiere Godzilla Invades New York, Opening Summer Film Season|last=Givens|first=Ron|work=NT Daily News|date=May 17, 1998|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> [[Sprint Corporation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/10/business/media-business-advertising-marketers-sweat-bit-godzilla-disappoints-box-office.html|title=Marketers sweat a bit as 'Godzilla' disappoints at the box office. Will product tie-ins follow suit?|last=Elliott|first=Stuart|work=The New York Times|date=June 10, 1998|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> and [[KFC]].<ref name="g94"/>
* Competing 1998 film ''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]'' took a jab at ''Godzilla'' with a scene in New York where a small dog attacks Godzilla toys.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/6/23/16036814/best-good-bad-movies-armageddon-xanadu-pootie-tang-d1a737d0d8b8|title=Actually, the Best Good Bad Movie Is...|work=The Ringer|date=June 23, 2017|access-date=March 25, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708152837/https://www.theringer.com/2017/6/23/16036814/best-good-bad-movies-armageddon-xanadu-pootie-tang-d1a737d0d8b8}}</ref>
* In 1998, a parody of the cab chase sequence from the 1998 film was shown on [[MTV]] and featuring [[Samuel L. Jackson]] and [[Christopher Lloyd]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/MTV-Presents-Self-Satisfied-Anti-Oscars-3004102.php|title=MTV Presents Self-Satisfied Anti-Oscars|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|work=SFGate|date=June 4, 1998|access-date=March 25, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=March 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326142303/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/MTV-Presents-Self-Satisfied-Anti-Oscars-3004102.php}}</ref>
* In 1998, [[Discovery Zone]] featured an event called "Godzilla Laser Adventure" based upon ''Godzilla: The Series''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEUqiCzpGx0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/JEUqiCzpGx0| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Godzilla: The Series (1998-2000) DZ/Discovery Zone Commercial|work=YouTube|access-date=April 17, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* In the 2005 ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' episode "[[That Hurts Me]]", TriStar's Godzilla was featured in the segment ''Godzilla Returns''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba0chf_WCfU| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212183716/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba0chf_WCfU&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2013-12-12 | url-status=dead|title=Godzilla Returns|work=Adult Swim|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* In the 2005 ''[[Camp Lazlo]]'' episode "Snake Eyes", the TriStar Godzilla's roar is uttered by a snake at the beginning of the episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USm1CMjth_M| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202020324/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USm1CMjth_M&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2020-12-02 | url-status=dead|title=Camp Lazlo - Season 1, Episode 2 "Snake Eyes"|work=YouTube|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* In a 2007 trailer for ''[[Spider-Man 3]]'', the TriStar Godzilla's roar is also audibly heard as Sandman dives down from the sand truck.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ6y0qDiwqU&t=1s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/EJ6y0qDiwqU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=American Godzilla Roar In Spider-Man 3 Trailer|work=YouTube|access-date=April 17, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* In the 2008 ''[[Phineas & Ferb]]'' episode "It's About Time", a 30 foot tall T-Rex is shown using the TriStar Godzilla's trademark roar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3gi4x2|title=Phineas & Ferb Episode "It's About Time"|work=Dailymotion|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* In the 2009 ''[[Iron Man: Armored Adventures]]'' episode "Tales of Suspense: Part 2", Fin Fang Foom features the TriStar Godzilla's distinctive roar during the fight with Tony Stark and Gene Khan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zipd33X2PGo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/zipd33X2PGo| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Iron Man: Armored Adventures "Tales of Suspense: Part 2" Clip|work=YouTube|access-date=April 17, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* In 2006, TriStar's Godzilla was featured in two [[Doritos]] commercials.<ref name="lawyers">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2014/05/16/godzilla-proves-even-giant-monsters/37340878007/|title=Godzilla proves even giant monsters need lawyers|last=McCartney|first=Anthony|work=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|date=May 15, 2014|access-date=July 8, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=July 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708152602/https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2014/05/16/godzilla-proves-even-giant-monsters/37340878007/}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=August 2023|reason=Article only mentions Toho and a Godzilla that "debuted in Japan in 1954"}}

===Toys===
Prior to release of the 1998 film, anticipation for the film was high and several companies licensed merchandise from both Sony and Toho, expecting the film to be the biggest hit of the year. While products sold well initially, they began to decline after the film's release; the decline in sales was attributed to the film's negative reception from critics, audiences, fans, and theater owners. As a result, several retailers were stuck with unsold merchandise, and a toy-line, based on the animated series, by [[Trendmasters]] was cancelled due to low advanced orders from retailers.<ref name="Lost Trendmasters"/>

In 2023, Spiral Studios licensed the character from Toho as "Zilla" for a 124&nbsp;cm statue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/233011|title=Godzilla (1998) The Legacy Series: Tanaka Kenichi Modeling Collection Zilla Limited Edition Statue|first=|last=|work=Big Bad Toy Store|date=|access-date=April 21, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421235437/https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/233011}}</ref> In 2024, Bandai released two versions of the character for their Movie Monster Series line; one as Godzilla (1998) and the other as Zilla (2004).<ref name="Bandai Mv">{{cite web|url=https://ginema-nuts.com/movie-monster-series-godzilla-1998-review|title=ムービーモンスターシリーズ　ゴジラ（1998/エメゴジ）　レビュー|first=|last=|work=Ginema Nuts|date=December 30, 2024|access-date=June 11, 2025|url-status=live|archive-date=June 12, 2025|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/RXMC6}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Godzilla (Monsterverse)]]
* [[Godzilla (1978 TV series)]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |first=Rachel|last=Aberly|title=The Making of Godzilla|year=1998|publisher=HarperPrism|isbn= 0061073172}}
* {{cite book |last=Kalat|first=David|year=2010|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786447497|edition=Second}}
* {{cite book |first=Stephen|last=Molstad|year=1998|title=Godzilla: The Novelization|publisher=HarperPrism|isbn=0-06-105915-3}}
* {{cite book |first=Renji|last=Oki|year=2017|title=Godzilla: Monster Apocalypse|publisher=Kadokawa|isbn=9784041061817}}
* {{cite book |first=Richard|last=Rickitt|year=2000|title=Special Effects: The History and Technique|publisher=Focal Press|isbn=0-8230-7733-0}}
* {{cite book |first=Richard|last=Rickitt|year=2006|title=Designing Movie Creatures and Characters: Behind the Scenes with the Movie Masters|publisher=Focal Press|isbn=0-240-80846-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Ryfle |first=Steve |year=1998 |title=Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of the Big G |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=1550223488 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/japansfavoritemo0000ryfl }}

{{Godzilla}}
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[[Category:Film characters introduced in 1998]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can move at superhuman speeds]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:Fictional lizards]]
[[Category:Fictional mutants]]
[[Category:Godzilla characters]]
[[Category:Mothra characters]]
[[Category:Kaiju]]
[[Category:Toho monsters]]
[[Category:Science fiction film characters]]
[[Category:Fictional reptiles]]
[[Category:Fictional sea monsters]]
[[Category:Fictional aquatic animals]]
[[Category:Fictional murdered people]]
[[Category:Fictional parents or guardians]]
[[Category:Fire-breathing monsters]]