Question 1

Why was Varan initially conceived as a hybrid of Godzilla and a kappa?

Accepted Answer

Toho wanted the next giant monster to have traits of a water monster, a spiked monster, and a flying monster. Varan was initially conceived by Tsuburaya as a Godzilla-kappa hybrid.

Question 2

What unusual production path did this film take from TV to theaters?

Accepted Answer

It began as a direct-to-TV co-production shot in black and white. After AB-PT went bankrupt, the two-part TV film was edited into a single feature for theaters, with extended score, shortened scenes, and cropped to TohoPanScope.

Question 3

Which giant monster film was the first for suit maker Keizô Murase?

Accepted Answer

This was the first Japanese giant monster film that suit maker Keizô Murase worked on.

Question 4

How did director Ishirô Honda feel about Varan later in his career?

Accepted Answer

Honda did not look back fondly, stating he was unhappy with the film and wished scenes like those with the Self-Defense Forces had been more grand.

Question 5

What discovery leads to Varan's rampage in the film?

Accepted Answer

A pair of entomologists investigating a rare butterfly in a mysterious valley in Japan discover Varan, a giant monster who then leaves the valley and heads for Tokyo.

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Varan

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