Godzilla Creator Tomoyuki Tanaka Dies Aged 89
The man who brought the world Godzilla has passed away.
Tomoyuki Tanaka, the producer behind the iconic monster movie franchise, died on Tuesday at the age of 89.
Tanaka was born in Tokyo in 1910. He joined Toho Studios in 1937, where he worked as an assistant director on a number of films before producing his first Godzilla movie in 1954.
The original Godzilla was a huge success, and Tanaka went on to produce 27 more films in the franchise, as well as a number of other monster movies, including Rodan, Mothra, and Gamera.
Tanaka's Godzilla films were known for their thrilling action sequences, their social commentary, and their memorable characters. Godzilla became one of the most popular movie monsters of all time, and the franchise has grossed over $5 billion worldwide.
Tanaka was a pioneer in the field of monster movies, and his work has had a profound impact on popular culture. He will be remembered as one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.
In a statement, Toho Studios said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Tomoyuki Tanaka. He was a true visionary who created one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. His legacy will live on forever."
Tanaka is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.