Gamera Returns is a 2024 monster film directed by Steven Spielberg. The sequel to Gamera (2023 film) the film stars Tom Hiddleston, Ken Watanabe, Dwayne Johnson (returning from the first movie) and Benedict Cumberbatch. In this film a giant monster Barugon awakens and Gamera tries to fight him. The film was released on June 2nd 2024 to positive reviews praising the visual effects, Spielberg's direction and the performances but criticizing Cumberbatch's character and the story deeming it inferior to the first movie. The film was also a box office bomb grossing 600 million dollars against a 726 million dollar budget. Despite this two sequels were made.
Plot[]
In 2024 Gamera has been missing for a year. In Singaporean village a greedy treasure hunter Jack Hoskins explore a cave to find a purple gem. Although he finds the gem an icy crystal hatches revealing a giant monster. Hoskins sacrifices his guide and manages to escape. The monster exits the cave and the chief recognize the monster as Barugon a monster made to punish humanity. Barugon resists any attack from the military and is fought by Gamera. Barugon attacks him with Rainbow Beam, Chilling Liquid and Blazing Horn before stabbing him forcing Gamera to escape. Hoskins returns to San Fransisco where he finds out that he can control the monster with the gem after using it to attack a gas station while watching a live stream on it. Hoskins meet his father Charles hoping to impress him. A flashback reveals Charles verbally abusing Hoskins as a child. Charles in present mocks him enraging Hoskins using the gem to control Barugon once again. Barugon then teleports to San Fransisco destroying the Golden Gate Bridge and destroying Charles's house killing him. James Howard and Shinichi Yuasa arrive and after a brief scuffle breaks the gem. A confused Barugon is stunned allowing several bombs to be dropped on him. Barugon uses his rainbow beam to destroy the planes which contained air pilot Dave Lowery. His enraged brother Hank uses a device which alerts Gamera. They fight again where Barugon once again gains the upper hand. Raymond Reddick reads the book where Barugon's myth is stated and finds that Barugon was constantly defeated by freshwater. Hoskins having a change of heart lures Barugon to manmade freshwater lake Triton where he is devoured before leading the monster. Gamera arrives and despite losing one of his teeth crushes Barugon's horn and forces him into the water killing him. Gamera leaves victorious while a UFO watches the events on the Moon.
Crew[]
Directed by: Steven Spielberg Written by: Steven Spielberg Produced by: Steven Spielberg Music by: Bear McCreary Edited by: Bob Duscay and Michael Kahn Production Companies: Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures Distributed by: Universal Pictures (worldwide) Kadokawa (Japan)
Cast[]
- Tom Hiddleston as James Howard a British archaeologist. Hiddleston said that he was unhappy with the film as he wanted it to focus more on his character's journey. Ken Watanabe as Shinichi Yuasa a Japanese scientist who discovered the legend of Gamera. Watanabe said that he does not like his character due to being too similar to Ishiro Serizawa. Dwayne Johnson as Raymond Reddick a sergeant. Johnson said that his character will play a larger role in the sequels. Benedict Cumberbatch as Jack Hoskins a British treasure hunter. Cumberbatch criticized his character calling him a loser. Jack Black as Hank Lowery the commander of the United States Army. Black stated he likes his role for being serious unlike Black's more comedic roles.
Andy Serkis as Dave Lowery Hank's older brother and a pilot. Serkis also provided the motion capture of Barugon. TJ Storm as Gamera (via Motion Capture)
Anthony Hopkins as Charles Hoskins, Jack's father. Hopkins called the character a jerk and Charles death scene was Hopkin's favourite scene in the movie.
Jack Neo as the village chieftan.
Production[]
After the success of the first movie Universal signed a contract to make 3 more films. Production started 2 months after the film released. Matt Reeves dropped out so he can focus on his "The Batman Shared Universe". Steven Spielberg who is already a Godzilla fan agreed to direct. Spielberg then stated "After I was offered director I was like OK if I can't direct Godzilla then let's have a go with Gamera". The casting began in January where several actors and crew reprised their roles with Cumberbatch being cast as the human villain. It was released on June 2nd 2024.
Release[]
The film was released on June 2nd 2024 at Los Angeles like the previous movie before the rest of the world. Universal distributed it worldwide and Kadokawa distributed it in Japan
Reception[]
Box Office[]
Gamera Returns was a box office bomb only grossing 600 million dollars against a 726 million dollar budget. It was blamed on bad marketing and the film was dubbed "the kaiju sequel everyone forgot about after 2 days".
Critical Reception[]
Gamera Returns recieved positive to mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an approval of 61% based on 237 reviews with the rating of 6.2/10. The consensus reads "While Gamera Returns is not as good as its predecessor its still good to watch". On Metacritic the film has a score of 60 out of 100 indicating mixed or average reviews.
Sequels[]
Despite the film's box office bomb producer Carolynne Cunningham convinced Universal to make two more sequels. The third film Gamera Invasion was released in August 1st 2025 and the final Gamera Forever was released in January 5th 2026.
Trivia[]
- The story was mostly based on Gamera vs Barugon (1966). Jack Hoskins is based on the main human villain Onodera.
- Tom Cruise decided not to return as Travis Holt so he can work on Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two. In the film it is said Holt went to Denmark so he can have a bit of peace.
- When Hurricane Ryu Hariken was visiting the set he jokingly drew two sketches of Gamera fighting the MonsterVerse Godzilla.
- Fans theorized that the UFO was containing Viras the squid like alien from Gamera Vs Viras (1968).
- The manmade fresh water lake Triton is named after the son of the Greek god of the seas Poseidon. This is also a reference to how Atlantis which Poseidon ruled over created Gamera.