Hey, fandom! Jon D. B. here with some exciting news!

Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi and Satomi Ishihara are all three set to star in the film, each of which being big names in Japan’s pop culture. The gorgeous Satomi Ishihara (left) has previously worked on G’16 co-director Shinji Higuchi‘s ATTACK ON TITAN film, and was also a recipient of the Japanese Academy Award for “Best New Actress”. Her co-star, Hiroki Hasegawa (right) also won an Academy Award for “best Newcomer” – so having these two names alone attached to the project is very promising. Even more impressive is famed Japanese actor Yutaka Takenouchi (center), who is also a Japanese Academy Award winner – his being for the coveted “Best Lead Actor”. With this trio of award winners fronting Toho’s Godzilla reboot, we can rest assured they’re pulling out the big guns and not restricting their budget – which is wonderful news for us fans. I think we’re in store for a real treat when this film hits next summer!

We’ve also translated some of this article from SANSPO.com – revealing that the film will indeed be set in modern day Japan, and that at least one of these lead actors – Satomi Ishihara (if not all three) will be playing “Government Officials/Agents” – and that the U.S. will be involved in the story! The modern setting should come as no surprise to those who have been keeping up with the recent filming locations over the past month (metropolitan hot spots in some of Japan’s biggest cities), but early talk of the film possibly being a period-piece remake of the 1954 original can finally be put to rest.

UPDATE: Gomaru Island‘s Facebook page has updated with a full translation stating that “SHIN GOJIRA” is in fact the title of the film! While we await an official confirmation, here is their full translation:

Gormaru Island: Shin Gojira Cast Announcement/Plot Sample/ Shin Gojira IS THE OFFICIAL TITLE *Translations!!* “Shin Goijra” Plot Samples: The story takes place in modern day Japan that is attacked, and the United States are involved within the chaos. Hiromi Hasegawa is our male lead character. Hasegawa is an honest and staight-forward kind of guy, leading as the male lead for the movie.

Yutaka Takenouchi plays the role of a government official within an attacked modern day Japan. Takeno states that the 29th Godzilla film, like the 1954 film will be one of the strongest Godzilla films within the series. Satomi Ishihara plays a US Agent, and the heroine in the movie when swept into the madness. GODZILLA(2014) has set the height bar at 108 meters, Shin Gojira is expected to exceed that into becoming the largest incarnation of Godzilla. Executive producer Yamauchi confirms that “Shin Gojira” IS the official movie title. Behind the title of “Shin Gojira”, as the title indicates, “Shin Gojira” is meant to be an expression of resurrecting the true Godzilla. As this Godzilla will put the fearful “God” rightly in its name. Anno however states that Shin Gojira also has a variety of meanings, feelings that they invested into the icon and film. Apparently Shin Gojira started Production since August 10th, shooting in the Kanato suburbs, and plans to end at the end of October. The decision to join Shin Gojira was seemingly a nervous choice, they felt intense pressure given how big of an icon Godzilla is. But upon reading the script, the cast decided to join. Ishihara apparently shed tears while reading it at home. To her though, the pressure is greater weighed on her because as the heroine of a Godzilla film, she feels greatly responsible in delivering her best. Gomaru Island

‏ @ zyutarou_komcom‘s Twitter page tweeted the following photos of articles released in Japan and broke the news just minutes ago, toting again the “SHIN GOJIRA” title we’ve seen before. It is still unknown if this is the working title of the film, actual title, or merely what Japan is using to refer to this as the “True Godzilla” movie. Considering its literal translation (which can be “New” or “True” depending on context – there isn’t a direct translation for “Shin” in English), we’re unsure. EDIT: Above update from Gomaru Island has confirmation from the director in their translation that “Shin-Gojira” is in fact the title of the film.)

Stay tuned, as much more news is headed our way as the film heads into heavy production!

Jon D. B.