The X From Outer Space Returns in 2008! Author: James M. Ballard Sources: Eiga.com, Bunkatsushin.com The monster Guilala from Shochiku`s bizarre 1967 kaiju feature THE X FROM OUTER SPACE (Uchuu Daikaijuu Girara) will return more than 40 years later in the new feature film GUILALA`S COUNTERATTACK: THE TOUYAKO SUMMIT ONE-SHOT CRISIS (Girara-no Gyakushuu Touyako Samitto Kiki Ippatsu, 2008), Shochiku announced at their head office in Tsukiji, Tokyo on January 29th. In this new disaster movie, the world`s greatest minds gather at the G8 summit in Toyako, Hokkaido, while a Chinese space craft crashes in the outskirts of Sapporo carrying the spores of the space monster Guilala. At the press conference, the film`s director Minoru Kawasaki commented that "THE X FROM OUTER SPACE was a production that took advantage of the `kaiju boom` in those days, and although it was a legendary monster for enthusiasts, [Guilala] was a misfortunate monster that didn`t become a hit like Godzilla and Gamera. This time, as Shochiku said "let`s revive it", I decided I had no choice but to make it now, taking advantage of last year`s hit THE WORLD SINKS EXCEPT JAPAN. The other actors will be announced later. Kaiju movies are Japan`s traditional theatre, I feel proud. Opposing CGI, it will be made quite similarly to 40 years ago. This year, I want to make the `kaiju boom`." Known for his somewhat surreal style, Kawasaki made his professional debut with THE EARTH DEFENSE GIRL IKO-CHAN (Chikyuu Bouei Shoujo Iko-chan, 1987), and went on to co-write ULTRAMAN TIGA (Urutoraman Tiga, 1996) episode #13 "The Human Collection" and direct the pilot version of BOOSKA in 1997 for Tsuburaya Productions. Kawasaki more recently wrote, directed and produced the 2006 film THE WORLD SINKS EXCEPT JAPAN (Nihon Igai Zenbu Chinbotsu), a spoof of Shinji Higuchi`s remake of THE SINKING OF JAPAN (Nihon Chinbotsu, 2006). Some of Kawasaki`s quirkier films include EXECUTIVE KOALA (Koara Kachou, 2005), BEETLE THE HORN KING (Kabuto Ou Biitoru, 2005) and CRAB GOALKEEPER (Kani Goorukiipaa, 2006). Principal photography on GUILALA`S COUNTERATTACK will begin in March, with the film slated for a nation-wide theatrical release in Japan this Autumn.
