Acclaimed 'Godzilla' Director Unveils First Look at New Robot Sci-Fi Epic

Takashi Yamazaki's 'Grandgear' to Debut in 2028 with Bad Robot Backing

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:21am

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An extreme close-up of a futuristic robot component, such as a glowing circuit board or sleek metal joint, captured in dramatic, high-contrast lighting to create a gritty, high-tech aesthetic.The first glimpse of the intense, high-tech visuals audiences can expect from Takashi Yamazaki's upcoming robot sci-fi epic 'Grandgear'.Los Angeles Today

Filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, the director behind the acclaimed 2023 monster hit 'Godzilla: Minus One', debuted the first footage from his upcoming robot sci-fi movie 'Grandgear' at CinemaCon. The new film, set for release in 2028, will be Yamazaki's first English-language production and is being produced by J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot.

Why it matters

Yamazaki has established himself as a rising star in the sci-fi genre, with 'Godzilla: Minus One' earning critical acclaim and box office success. 'Grandgear' represents his next ambitious step, blending his visual flair with a new robot-focused narrative and the backing of a major Hollywood production company.

The details

In the first look shared at CinemaCon, the footage showed two massive robots engaged in an intense battle, teasing the scale and spectacle audiences can expect from 'Grandgear'. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is set to crash into theaters on February 18, 2028.

  • Takashi Yamazaki debuted the first footage from 'Grandgear' at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026.
  • 'Grandgear' is scheduled for release on February 18, 2028.

The players

Takashi Yamazaki

A celebrated Japanese filmmaker who directed the 2023 hit 'Godzilla: Minus One' and is now helming the upcoming robot sci-fi epic 'Grandgear'.

J.J. Abrams

The acclaimed producer whose company Bad Robot is backing Yamazaki's 'Grandgear' project, marking the director's first English-language production.

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What they’re saying

“Three years ago, filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki brought a legendary monster out of the shadows and onto the big screen when he ushered in Godzilla Minus One. With brilliant cinematography, dazzling effects, and a captivating storyline, the feature quickly became one of the most talked about films of the year and amassed a massive box office haul of $116 million against its $15 million production budget.”

— Britta Devore, Author

What’s next

Fans will have to wait until February 18, 2028 to see 'Grandgear' in theaters, but a sequel to 'Godzilla: Minus One' is expected to stomp into cinemas later this year.

The takeaway

Takashi Yamazaki has proven his ability to deliver ambitious, visually stunning sci-fi spectacles, and 'Grandgear' looks to build on that success by blending his signature style with the backing of a major Hollywood production company like Bad Robot.