Godzilla Minus One’s award-winning Sakura Ando wants action-packed role in possible sequel

Godzilla Minus One star Sakura Ando is ready to take on the world-famous kaiju if the Japanese smash-hit returns for a sequel.

The thrilling creature feature/period drama stars Ryunosuke Kamiki as Kōichi Shikishima, a pilot in World War II whose world implodes after a terrifying first encounter with the iconic monster.

Sakura has a smaller role in Godzilla as Sumiko Ōta, Shikishima’s neighbor who is affected by the destruction of the kaiju’s first attacks.

However, following her duel Japan Academy Awards for both this and her leading role in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s stunning Monster, the Shoplifters star could be back for an expanded role in a potential sequel.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Sakura teased her hopes for a more action-packed role if this terrifying version of Godzilla returns.

“I wasn’t expecting this [success] for Godzilla,” she admitted.

“I was actually filming Godzilla and Monster at the same time. It was the same producer, and both of them I was approached for before Covid, so I had to wait for years.

“The producer ultimately said that they were going to make them at the same time, so I had to choose one.

“And I was like, ‘Seriously?’ But I fought for it and in the end I got to be in both. And I never imagined this for Godzilla.”

Godzilla Minus One has become the most successful Japanese Godzilla film of all time, earning an impressive $107 million at the worldwide box office, surpassing previous record-holder Shin Godzilla.

Fans are now, understandably, keeping their fingers crossed for a sequel, which Sakura is more than ready to jump headfirst into.

“I’m only a small part in it,” she said. “But, I’m still alive, so I think, if there’s a sequel, I’d like to be in it.

“But I didn’t get to meet Godzilla in the film, so if there is a sequel I would like to meet and fight Godzilla!

“I would be jumping like this Spider-Man-type woman taking down Godzilla.”

As for what the future holds for the franchise, millions of Godzilla heads certainly have their hopes up for a sequel, especially after Minus One concluded with a spine-tingling cliffhanger.

Speaking at a Q&A hosted by Collider, director Takashi Yamazaki confirmed he was developing another film first before potentially starting another Godzilla picture afterward.

“Hypothetically, if there is a Godzilla sequel, then I would like to date it with how long it’s been in our timeline as to what the characters have gone through,” he said.

“So, if we film it three years from now, I would set it three years from Godzilla Minus One.”