'King Kong Vs. Godzilla' 4K Remaster Coming In July, First Images Revealed

News has been slowly breaking over the past week that a "complete version" of the newly restored 1962 film 'King Kong vs. Godzilla' will be premiering on the Japanese Nihon Eiga Senmon Channel in July to celebrate Toho Pictures upcoming 'Godzilla: Resurgence.' This remastered version will be aired alongside of a Godzilla retrospective titled 'Godzilla: First Impact,' that hosts several Japanese celebrities talking about the franchise's influence on them personally and which film was their introduction to the King of Monsters. This also marks the second time that 'King Kong vs. Godzilla' will be shown with added footage that was either lost or incomplete from the original theatrical release that has been completely restored for the first time from a 35mm print of the film. Check out some new comparison shots of the 4K transfer below.

Flipping between images of the restoration that premiered last year and the one coming in July, you can clearly see the effort Toho put into bringing back this classic. Here's a sampling of shots that are ripped straight from a teaser trailer that the NESC has been running:

The remaster is beautiful, so far, and I can't wait until they release the whole trailer. 

I have to imagine that this is not only a nod to the upcoming Toho Godzilla film, but finally being realized in preparation for an updated blu-ray and 4K release of the film internationally. This would be perfect timing with a new American King Kong film on the way next year, and a future remake of 'King Kong vs. Godzilla' just around the corner in 2020. Hopefully, I'm right and this leads to more stunning remasters coming out of Toho in the next few years to take advantage of Legendary's American releases and the nostalgia that comes with them.

Either way, we'll keep you updated on when any of these might hit stateside.