‘Shin Godzilla 2’ Reportedly Filming Soon… and a ‘Minus One’ Star Could Be Joining?!

We might be getting another Shin Godzilla. And the casting rumor makes this even more interesting.

Japanese outlet Smart FLASH reports that a sequel to the phenomenal 2016 film is quietly moving forward, with filming allegedly scheduled to begin in November. Its unnamed film-industry source claims Hiroki Hasegawa and other principal cast members are expected to return, joined by stars Tasuku Emoto (Shin Kamen Rider) and Minami Hamabe.

Hold on. Minami Hamabe?!

Hamabe plays Noriko in Godzilla Minus One and returns in next month’s Godzilla Minus Zero, so her reportedly joining Shin Godzilla 2 immediately raises a pretty exciting question: Could these two very different Godzilla worlds somehow be connected?

“There’s a lot of interest in the industry about what kind of role she’ll play,” Smart FLASH’s source says, translated from Japanese.

The report itself describes the films as belonging to separate timelines. Hamabe could simply play an entirely different character, and her casting alone wouldn’t establish a shared continuity. But with her alleged role unknown, it’s hard not to wonder whether there could be something more going on.

That’s speculation on my part, but I would absolutely lose my mind if these movies found a way to connect.

None of the sequel or casting claims have been officially confirmed. Smart FLASH says it contacted Toho but received no response by its deadline. The report describes work on the project as underway, with cameras allegedly rolling next month.