The Rivals Face Off at the Premiere

Hirotaka Matsuoka slammed his fist on the desk.

From the film's pre-production stage, the North American Director was very dissatisfied with Godzilla's appearance.

In that Director's mind, Godzilla should be a reptile that perfectly conforms to biology, not Phantasmal Species created by the Japan!

This guy first protested, and when his protests failed, he resorted to underhanded tactics, forcibly making the movie according to his own design.

By the time Toho realized the problem, half of the movie had already been filmed with the lizard characters in the costumes.

When Toho questioned the Director about why the film wasn't shot according to the original plan, the director confidently replied, "The design drawings are lost."

"Go to hell, your whole family's design plans are gone!!"

Of course, Hirotaka Matsuoka knew this was just an excuse. Even if the production team lost the design drawings, Toho still had several unfinished drafts in their warehouse.

Using that as a reference, a new design can be created in less than three days.

"That white gorilla did it on purpose!!"

Hirotaka Matsuoka really wanted to yell at the other person to their face.

But he had to hold back. The film was already halfway through shooting, and more than half of the production budget had been invested. If he kicked the Director out at this point, the film project would be completely ruined.

After all, not everyone is Warner Bros., capable of the disastrous decision to replace Director the film is nearly finished.

After forcing themselves to finish filming this biologically accurate version of Godzilla, Toho couldn't wait to hold a preview screening.

The reactions at the several preview screenings were surprisingly consistent, with scores ranging from 4 to 5 out of 10.

This score comes from two sources, one of which is Godzilla fans.

They couldn't accept the Godzilla's appearance in the movie, so they retaliated by giving it a low score.

The other group consists of casual viewers who generally give the film a score of around 7, deeming it a watchable work.

For a tokusatsu (special effects) film, an average score of 7 is considered above average.

"Look, Mr. Guang'an."

Holding the rating sheet, the white Director boasted with overflowing confidence, "A score of 7 out of 10 proves my opinion was correct; this is exactly how this movie should be made."

"But those low scores..."

"That's just a negligible exception," the other person scoffed. "How many core fans does a tokusatsu film have? Once it's released on a large scale, these people's opinions will become insignificant."

Is that really the case?

Hirotaka Matsuoka felt uneasy.

"Of course, trust me."

"That schedule..."

"Let's schedule it the week after another tokusatsu movie (<Super Eight>). They're both tokusatsu films, so our movie's release will impact their viewership, and then all the box office revenue will be ours. Hahaha!"

Amidst the Director's arrogant laughter, the date arrived at May 5, 2006. One day earlier than Toho's Godzilla, Shinji's tokusatsu film Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers was released worldwide.

Chapter 232 The Showdown at the Premiere

As the movie's release date drew ever closer, Hirotaka Matsuoka's unease grew stronger.

The only thing that could bring him comfort was that he could see Shinji Matou and his Ultraman movie pass away before him.

Although Shinji Matou has not yet revealed the production cost of "Super Eight," it's obvious that the film's production cost must be high, given that it features male idols from Johnny & Associates's Entertainment and uses some new 3D technology.

But how much will this new Ultraman movie gross at the box office?

As we all know, Ultraman movies and TV series are completely different concepts.

While the TV versions of Ultraman before the New Generation series had their share of absurd and nonsensical episodes, the overall quality was quite good, with numerous memorable episodes.

But the theatrical version is completely different.

Leaving aside the Showa era's three-part editing series, the plots of Heisei era theatrical films are all about bizarre and unsettling scenes.

It's not terrible, but it's definitely a step down from the TV version.

The most important factor is the box office performance of the Ultraman film series. To date, no Ultraman film has grossed more than 800 million yen.

Let alone making money, it would be a miracle if Shinji Matou's movie didn't lose money.

"Judging from the promotional materials, that movie must have cost over 1 billion yen to make. It's going to be a huge flop!"

Having figured this out, Hirotaka Matsuoka felt much more at ease.

"Perhaps I can witness that brat's demise?!"

Hirotaka Matsuoka thought maliciously.

If Hirotaka Matsuoka was hostile towards Shinji's new film, then Second Master's other adversary, the film critics, found it uninteresting.

"Has that brat backed down?"

Kouichi Ippei put down the newspaper in his hand, shook his head and sighed.

His assistant glanced at the newspaper article, pursed his lips, and said, "I think it's probably just to test some new technology, right? Even if the Ultraman movie does well at the box office, it'll only be a small amount; if it flops, there's no problem."

This isn't just the assistant's opinion; in fact, most people in the film industry share similar views.

Because this is Shinji's exact quote—"In order to test new technologies."

Kouichi Ippei folded the newspaper in his hand and put it aside, saying with a disdainful expression, "No matter what, <Super Eight> is, after all, a tokusatsu film, so we can't really criticize it."

Although Shinji himself didn't mean it that way, most film critics still consider Super Eight to be a tokusatsu film aimed at children.

For movies meant for children, as long as the overall values are sound, the childishness of the plot is not a problem at all.

Even if you film the complexities of human nature, will children understand it?!

Making a fuss about the weak plot of a children's movie is like comparing the brakes of a bicycle to those of a Tesla—even if you win, you don't get to show your face!

"Anyway, even without you guys from the boss's side, this movie will still face competition from Tesla, it won't be any better," the assistant reminded him.

Kouichi Ippei leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling in thought.

The two movies with the most aggressive promotion in Japan's May summer movie season this year are Godzilla and Super Eight.

Both of these are not only long-running tokusatsu (special effects) films, but their related promotional materials are also shrouded in mystery.

So far, none of the trailers for the Godzilla movie have shown Godzilla's full face, seemingly indicating that they're saving the surprise for the official release.

While <Super Eight> has released its cast and plot synopsis, its promotional strategy seems to be divided into two teams.

One promotional strategy focused solely on Ultraman's battles against monsters, while the other heavily relied on nostalgia. These two strategies were so incongruous that viewers began to speculate whether they were actually two separate films.

However, in the eyes of veteran film critic Kouichi Ippei, these two fiercely contested films are nothing more than a fight between neighbor Wang and outlaw Zhang San, they are all birds of a feather!

"Someone who tries to use weird tricks and create a fuss." Kouichi Ippei sneered. "Forget it, tomorrow will be the day we see! I hope that troublemaking brat won't disappoint me."

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Compared to these two groups of people who are hostile to Shinji's fans have been looking forward to the movie "Super Eight" for a long time.

After all, FSN and FZ were produced at a rate of one film per year, but this <Super Eight> was released two years after Shinji Matou film.

The production time is so long, it's either because they're taking their time to make something of high quality, or they messed it up and are too ashamed to show their work.

Given Shinji's current track record of high-quality film and television works, fans are more inclined to believe that <Super Eight> will be the former.

Under these circumstances, everyone's expectations for "Super Eight" are extremely high.

Despite the presence of UBW and HF in the past two years, nothing on the small screen can compare to the thrill of the big screen!

So when Type-Moon Company and Jidai Group. announced the release date, fans' enthusiasm was immediately ignited.

The pre-orders for the premiere tickets of "Super Eight" were far more enthusiastic than anyone had anticipated.

Those who had seen the preview screenings, in particular, bought IMAX tickets without hesitation, resulting in a complete sell-out of tickets for the first IMAX run.

It sounds incredible, but it's actually nothing special.

After all, IMAX screens are still a rarity these days; even in regions with very mature film markets like North America and Japan, there are only a handful of IMAX screens.

Fortunately, Hirotaka Matsuoka didn't need to compete with ordinary moviegoers for tickets; as a Toho executive, he directly received an invitation to the Fuyuki City premiere.

Hirotaka Matsuoka didn't see this as a provocation from Shinji Matou, because Shinji Matou had invited numerous executives from film and television companies to the premiere.

Aside from the top executives of Japan's four major Film Company, Shinji Matou the four major talent agencies including Johnny & Associates Super Eight was also invited. Other attendees included well-known filmmakers and media representatives from Japan, and even Film Company from Europe and America.

Don't be fooled by the fact that there weren't many celebrities or idols in attendance at this premiere; those sitting in the theater are actually the real controllers of today's film industry!

With such a stellar lineup, it would seem petty of Shinji Matou to leave out Toho.

Of course, Hirotaka Matsuoka was well aware that this also meant that Shinji Matou had a lot of confidence in <Super Eight>, or at least in that new technology.

Inviting so many industry leaders to watch the movie is clearly aimed at promoting new technologies.

Slightly stunned, Hirotaka Matsuoka walked across the red carpet into the lobby of the Type-Moon Cinema. Shinji, who was talking to the Kitagawa siblings at the time, saw him and walked over to him.

Now, everyone's eyes were focused on Hirotaka Matsuoka and Shinji Matou.

The media has been hyping up the Ultraman vs. Godzilla battle for so long; everyone in the industry is waiting to see this spectacle.

It would be best Shinji Matou walked over and punched one of the Toho guys right now; that would make things even more exciting.

Unfortunately, this is impossible.

Shinji smiled and extended his hand to Hirotaka Matsuoka: "Director Hiroyasu, you are a rare guest!"

"We heard that Director Matou is going to showcase groundbreaking technology to the world, and Toho, as the leading company in the Japan film industry, naturally wants to send a representative to take a look."

Hirotaka Matsuoka spoke in a relaxed tone, but it was easy to see his apprehension when he mentioned that Toho was number one in Japan.

Shinji, however, seemed oblivious to the other party's meaning. He casually cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Not at all, not at all. If Toho could take a liking to these little trinkets of mine, it would be an incredible blessing. It's just that your company's distribution standards are too high."

"The Japan film market has flourished in recent years, thanks in large part to the outstanding contributions of Director Matou. It's only right that I come to support him on the occasion of Director Matou new film's release today."

Hirotaka Matsuoka certainly understood that Shinji Matou was subtly mocking him, but he still avoided bringing up the old grudge of Toho refusing to release FSN.

To be honest, no one at Toho is without regret about losing FSN, not even Hirotaka Matsuoka, who is hostile to Shinji.

Especially in recent years, Bandai's publicly released financial reports have shown impressive revenue figures related to Fate, which has made Toho's top management feel uneasy.

Shinji Matou was the first company that came to mind for Toho, but Toho itself turned him away.

However, Shinji's sarcastic remarks didn't end there. After Hirotaka Matsuoka expressed his support, he nodded and "praised" Toho, saying, "Toho is indeed magnanimous. Seeing that the project I rejected became a hit, they not only didn't try to sabotage it by having film critics attack the other party, but they also didn't use their power to blacklist me, and they didn't even make a special film to compete with me face to face."

"Other Film Company would have found all sorts of ways to prevent me from getting ahead. It's a great honor for the Japan film market to have such a magnanimous Film Company like Toho as its industry leader."

[Who are you calling a brat?!]

Hirotaka Matsuoka was immediately filled with anger because Toho had done everything that Shinji had asked, but unfortunately, they had all failed.

Toho tried everything to suppress Shinji Matou and his Type-Moon, but still failed.

Oh, wait a minute. The competition for the same film hasn't been decided yet, so we can't make any predictions!

Despite feeling a mix of anger and frustration, Hirotaka Matsuoka's composure under pressure was on full display.

He took it as a genuine compliment from Shinji Matou and replied with a smile, "Of course, Toho's goal is to make the Japan film market thrive. We are naturally delighted to have produced a talent like Director Matou. We will need Director Matou's continued guidance."

"Definitely, definitely."

Seeing that the other party was so tolerant, Shinji couldn't continue to make trouble. He shook hands with Hirotaka Matsuoka and then gestured for him to sit inside.

"Director Guang'an, please!"

Shinji had the cinema staff lead the Toho people to their reserved seats.

As soon as they sat down, the Director of Godzilla, whom Hirotaka Matsuoka had brought, couldn't help but complain, "Who does that brat think he is, daring to be so arrogant! He's clearly just an orphan abandoned by film critics and the mainstream!"

"They have the means to do so!"

Hirotaka Matsuoka was too lazy to waste words with this arrogant guy, so he closed his eyes and said calmly.

The other person's face turned red from being choked by Hirotaka Matsuoka's words, and his throat seemed to be blocked by something, so he couldn't say a word for a long time.

Hirotaka Matsuoka didn't care at all. Anyway, the movie was already finished, and Toho and this disobedient guy were ready to part ways.

Actually, if it weren't for the promotion of Godzilla next week, Hirotaka Matsuoka wouldn't have wanted to bring this arrogant guy along and make things difficult for himself.

Moreover, the leaders of Film Company like Hirotaka Matsuoka have a much clearer understanding than those purely filmmakers who are directly involved in the industry.

Film critics and mainstream media are all meaningless; only box office revenue matters.

Since Shinji Matou has the ability to turn investment into box office success, he is the most powerful Director.