Ken Watanabe says there’s interest in ‘Godzilla’ because people are still terrified of nuclear power.
The 54-year-old actor insists that titular monster who first appeared in Ishiro Honda’s 1954 film, where he was a metaphor for nuclear weapons following the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is still relevant for audiences today since it deals with topics which we’re "fascinated" by.
He told collider.com: "[The] 1954 Godzilla was born out of fear that people were fascinated by nuclear weapons after the Bikini Islands nuclear tests.
"Then three years ago we had experiences in Japan, collapse of a nuclear power plant due to a major earthquake and tsunami.
"Even after 60 years people are still fascinated by Godzilla, why? After all these years people are still fascinated by Godzilla because after all these years the things terrify us for nuclear power, nuclear energy, our fear."
Watanabe – who plays Dr. Ishiro Serizawa in the 2014 sci-fi film – still enjoys hearing the monster roar.
He added: "I became so excited whenever he lets out his roar. It’s very strong, but its something of a scream of sadness I felt. His screaming is like it’s scorning us for humanity’s foolishness."
Ken Watanabe: Godzilla is still relevant
