If Godzilla (1994) was the saddest example of What Could Have Been in American chapter of the Godzilla Franchise, then this movie is probably a close second. Originally intended to be the second edition of a three part American Godzilla Trilogy planned for release between 1999 and 2000, but these plans ultimately fell through primarily due to the negative reception of the first movie from longtime fans and a lack of interest from industry connections such as theater owners and licensees.
Initially picking up where the previous film left off, Dr. Nico Tatopoulos has been invited to lead a research project examining Godzilla's corpse, alongside several other scientists from across the globe. But watching the light go out in Godzilla's eyes weighs heavily on Nick's conscience and he turns down the offer. Sneaking into the tunnels underneath Madison Square Garden, Nick discovers a single surviving Baby Godzilla trapped under rubble. The hatchling imprints on the scientist after he frees him and the two begin to form a bond, but Nick is soon forced to chase the Baby Godzilla away to protect him from the military.
Two years later, Nick and Audrey have just gotten married. But before they can enjoy their honeymoon, Nick gets shanghaied by his old friend Phillipe Roaché. There have been a number of strange occurrences around the globe, and the new Global Task Force believes that a new Godzilla-like creature is responsible. Suspecting that one of the Baby Godzillas might have survived Phillipe wants Nick to help him find it. The search takes them to Australia where they meet Dr. Anna Charlton, the trio then travel to the Outback where they find not only Zilla Jr. but also a slaughter of Baby Godzillas. Nick now has to prove to Phillipe that Godzilla isn’t responsible for the strange phenomenon and discover what the cause actually is.
Story treatment of the scrapped script can be read at SciFi Japan
. (Archived version)
This script includes examples of:
- Alternate Continuity: To Godzilla: The Series.
- Big Bad: The (presumably, provisionally named) Queen Bitch that is a giant, man-eating termite queen from the same island as the first Godzilla.
- Bittersweet Ending: Godzilla defeats the Queen Bitch, but has lost all but one of his children which were killed by the military. Being pulled into this adventure has lead to Nick's marriage to Audrey being annulled, but he seems to be starting a new relationship with Anna. There might be more monsters out there in the world, but now humanity has an ally in the form of Godzilla.
- Disney Death: The Runt is seemingly killed by the Queen Bitch while defending Anna, but turns out to be alive at the end.
- Explosive Breeder: Subverted — a full-grown Godzilla is capable of reproducing only once, and the size of the brood is determined by the carrying capacity of the land.
- Expy: The Runt is obviously one of both Minilla from the Showa Era and Godzilla Jr. from the Heisei Era.
- Isle of Giant Horrors: Godzilla wasn't the only monster that was created by those nuclear tests.
- The Runt at the End: The aptly named Runt.
- Shoo the Dog: Nick does this with Zilla Jr. at the beginning, urging it to leave in order to protect its life.
- To Serve Man: The Queen Bitch has her children bring live humans to Monster Island for her to feed on.
- Youngest Child Wins: Twice over: first Zilla Jr., having hatched long after his father and siblings had all died, and then the Runt who was the only one that Zilla Jr. managed to save from the military.
