Following the release of the first teaser trailer for Godzilla: Resurgence - the forthcoming property installment from Toho, the Japanese film studio that originated the titular King of the Monsters on the big screen in 1954 - anticipation for another Godzilla movie coming from its country of origin has elicited noticeable interest from many fans of the infamous Kaiju. The new film will be co-directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, the writing duo behind the popular Neon Genesis Evangelion anime, and will not be at all connected to director Gareth Edwards’ upcoming Godzilla 2.

The footage released from Toho has thus far has served only to heighten viewer excitement and fan anticipation leading up to the final reveal of the film’s featured beast of cinematic legend. However, those who want an early sneak peek of Godzilla in Resurgence can now get one, thanks to images leaked from the film.

As posted by Cooper Castille on his personal Twitter account last night, the first images from Godzilla Resurgence have been leaked online, and are currently being passed along by eager fans and erstwhile lovers of Toho’s fabled King of the Monsters. In the images featured below, Anno and Higuchi’s latest take on everyone’s favorite Kaiju are appropriately menacing, and far grittier than the model most recently churned out by Legendary Pictures in 2014.

AAAGGHH HE LOOKS SO FUCKING CREEPY… but I think I love it. #Godzilla #GodzillaResurgence #ShinGojira #Godzilla2016 pic.twitter.com/21UcZpxCPe— That Cooper Guy (@coopercastille) January 4, 2016

Given the fact that Toho’s new Godzilla film will be released in July 2016, a full two years ahead of Edwards’ next film with Legendary Pictures, viewers who want more to see more of said movie monster will get just that. However, the aforementioned American studio will now be in direct competition with the Japanese filmmaking team that first brought the franchise to life, and as such may affect any future plans for the series going forward on behalf of both parties.

Whether or not Godzilla: Resurgence proves to be the return to form that will please fans of the original Japanese series of films remains to be seen. Toho’s new film may very well wind up being too campy for those otherwise impressed with Edwards’ computer-generated movie magic, but here’s to hoping that both films offer something uniquely their own for fans to embrace and admire.

Godzilla: Resurgence will see theatrical release on July 29th, 2016. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Legendary Pictures will unveil Godzilla 2 on June 8th, 2018, followed by Godzilla vs. Kong sometime in 2020.

Source: Cooper Castille