Takashi Yamazaki, the director behind the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One, is stepping into Hollywood with a brand-new science fiction film called Nue. The project will be made for 20th Century Studios, with Ridley Scott‘s production company, Scott Free, also coming on board.
Right now, there isn’t much information about the film’s story. No plot details or logline have been shared yet. What we do know is that it’s an original idea, one that Yamazaki has reportedly been thinking about for years. The title itself, Nue, refers to a creature from Japanese folklore—a mythical beast said to be part monkey, part tiger, and part snake. The story is said to involve something buried deep in the ocean, which remains the only real plot hint available at this stage.
Long before Godzilla Minus One made him a global name, Yamazaki started out in the Japanese film industry in the 1980s. He worked primarily in visual effects for years before making his directorial debut with Juvenile in 2000. Since then, he has directed one film after another. So, when he calls Nue a “lifelong dream,” it is not just a passing remark—he has genuinely been holding on to this idea for decades, waiting for the right moment to bring it to the screen.
Sharing his excitement about the project, Yamazaki said this has been something he has wanted to make for a long time. He added that he feels honoured to bring it to life alongside Ridley Scott, Scott Free, and the team at 20th Century Studios, and that he will give his best to turn it into a film audiences will love.
Ridley Scott also spoke about the collaboration, saying he and his team are delighted to work with Yamazaki on this original science fiction film. He said he has long admired Yamazaki’s storytelling, pointing to Godzilla Minus One as proof of his talent, and that he looks forward to helping bring this new project to audiences around the world.
David Greenbaum, who heads Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, along with studio president Steve Asbell, also praised Yamazaki. They said his filmmaking connects with audiences across different cultures and generations, and that what he achieved with Godzilla Minus One was extraordinary because it combined spectacular visuals with genuine emotional depth. They also expressed excitement about teaming up again with Scott Free for this entirely original story.
Ridley Scott will produce the film alongside Michael Pruss. Also joining as producers are Keiichiro Moriya and Go Abe from Robot Communications, Georgina Pope from Toho-Tombo, and Amie Horiuchi. Scott Aversano will oversee the project for 20th Century Studios.
Yamazaki became a household name around the world after Godzilla Minus One was released in 2023. The film was set in post-World War II Japan and followed a former kamikaze pilot trying to redeem himself while Godzilla attacked the country. Made on a budget of about $10 million, the film went on to earn more than $116 million worldwide. It also won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, with Yamazaki himself among those honoured.
Before Nue arrives, fans will first see Yamazaki’s next project, Godzilla Minus Zero, a direct sequel that picks up two years after the first film. This time, Godzilla heads to New York City, and the story continues to follow the Shikishima family as they face a new disaster. Ryunosuke Kamiki returns as Koichi Shikishima alongside Minami Hamabe as Noriko Oishi. The film is scheduled to be released in theatres on November 6, 2026. Yamazaki also has another project in development, the Sony and Bad Robot feature Grandgear, which is expected to arrive in 2028.
This is not Scott’s first collaboration with 20th Century Studios. He directed the classic Alien for the studio in 1979, and Scott Free has maintained a long-standing relationship with the company ever since. Scott also has a long professional association with studio head Steve Asbell, dating back to their work on Kingdom of Heaven in 2005. His other upcoming project with the studio, The Dog Stars, is expected to be released in August 2026.
As of now, Nue does not have a release date, and further details are expected to be revealed as the project moves forward.
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