Simon Pegg Thinks Hollywood’s 'Godzilla' Movies Are "Cultural Appropriation"

Simon Pegg has shared his enthusiastic thoughts on the film 'Godzilla Minus One,' while also taking a swipe at recent American adaptations of the iconic monster. Pegg took to his Instagram Stories to express his admiration for the new film. In a video clip, later shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Godzilla fan account Kaiju No. 14, Pegg exclaimed, "'Godzilla Minus One' is now on Netflix. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. It’s the best Godzilla movie since 'Shin Godzilla.' It’s incredible."

Pegg didn't stop there, further praising the film for its authenticity. "It’s a proper Godzilla movie made by the people who created Godzilla from their subconscious as they grappled with the massive repercussions of World War II. It’s not some rock ’em, sock ’em cultural appropriation."

Also Read: ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Review: More Brawn Than Brain

The following day, Pegg returned to his Instagram Story with a follow-up, urging fans to watch the original Japanese version of 'Godzilla Minus One' rather than any dubbed versions.

Pegg’s comments came in the wake of Netflix’s surprise release of 'Godzilla Minus One' on its streaming platform worldwide on 1st June. The film has been highly acclaimed, even winning an Oscar for 'Best Visual Effects' earlier this year. This accolade marks the first time in the 'Godzilla' franchise's 70-year history that a film has won an Academy Award.

Set during the final days of World War II after the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 'Minus One' tells the story of Japan's resurgence in the face of a 164-foot-tall reptilian monster that breathes atomic radiation. The film is the second 'Godzilla' movie released within a year, following 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' which came out earlier this year.

To date, there have been five Hollywood-made 'Godzilla' films. The first, released in 1998, was followed by a reboot in 2014, kicking off Warner Bros’ MonsterVerse. This series has included four Godzilla films and one King Kong film.