Coming out this week from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures is the upcoming Godzilla sequel, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, an epic action adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most popular monsters in pop culture history.
Directed by Michael Dougherty, the film stars Oscar nominees Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins, both reprising their Godzilla roles, Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitford, Thomas Middleditch, Charles Dance, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Aisha Hinds, Anthony Ramos and Zhang Ziyi.
The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.
For Aisha Hinds, who plays Colonel Diane Foster, this is her return to the big screen since she last appeared in Gina Prince Bythewood’s 2014 Beyond The Lights. Her previous film credits include Star Trek Into Darkness, The Next Three Days, Unstoppable, Madea Goes To Jail and Assault on Precinct 13. Currently, she plays firefighter and paramedic Henrietta ‘Hen’ Wilson on the FOX TV series 9-1-1. The Brooklyn native received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the critically acclaimed but short-lived WGN series Underground.
A veteran of numerous TV projects, Some of her TV series included TNT’s Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., FOX’s Shots Fired, CBS’ Under the Dome, ABC’s Detroit 1-8-7 and HBO’s True Blood.
Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Hinds on her role in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and her experience on the set.
If not often we see you on the big screen, so what was the attraction to doing this film?
Aisha Hinds: I had done Harriet Tubman and after playing that role on Underground, I wondered what else did I want to do. I was actually ready to sit down for a minute and even marinate in the blessings of that experience for me. But before I could even think about doing so, this opportunity came up. I didn’t particularly want to go into a blockbuster actually. I thought I would be moving too fast, but when I read the script I realized that this was continuing a conversation that had begun with previous projects in my career; and it falls under the banner of things that I want to do with the cannon of my career. So, I read the script and I was drawn to the fact we were looking at this narrative that explores the idea of monsters vs. man, but digging deeper and asking the question of who exactly who is really the monster. Even now, I look at that as the mirror for the world that I was living in. We’re existing in this time where it’s monster vs. man and you’re asking yourself, “Who are these people? What are these systems that are taking place?” If feels like it’s a battle of monsters vs. man and you’re asking yourself, “Who’s the monster in this picture and who’s the man?” Who’s trying to dominate a space that was occupied already. Who’s trying to change something that doesn’t need to be changed?
All of the questions were embedded into the script and the story and it drew me in. Once I got on the project and realized what the character Diane Foster would represent, that made me more happier because here is this woman who is charged with the task of leading an elite task force for Monarch, a part of history in the fabric of Godzilla’s narrative; and doing so in the capacity of a Colonel. Initially, I was brought into the role as a Major, but now she’s a Colonel, which is something that doesn’t exist in the world. Women are just now getting the opportunity to pass these special exams that allow them to move on to the next level of testing and serve in Special Forces and become Green Berets. Here is Colonel Diane Foster, who is representing a position that doesn’t exist in the world, but creates the possibility and that was endearing to me.
Is there anything you did to get into the mindset of playing a Colonel?
Aisha Hinds: I reached out to my social media community and they were more than willing to share their experiences. I have family who have served in the military and they were also willing to share their experiences. We had an incredibly competent, informative and educational military advisor who sat with us and gave us stories and information and showed us pictures and slides and videos. We went to military boot camp and training to get a sense of reverence and respect for what this position signifies. Even when you look at the Godzilla franchise and the movie, you don’t particularly see women of color in these strong leading roles in that way. I realized something special was happening here for me and I was grateful to embody that, especially on the heels of playing Harriet Tubman, which in some ways prepared me for it. People used to call her General Tubman, so it was a nod to her spirit.
What’s your history with the Godzilla franchise? Did you grow up watching any of the films?
Aisha Hinds: I watched them because I have an older brother and he decided what we watched on Saturday mornings. I just sat by and watched him watching Godzilla and I was eye hustling and ear hustling. He offered me, by default, this hero that I didn’t realized was being offered to me. I vividly remember those big action sequences where all of a sudden people were running through a town and the big Godzilla foot would enter the frame. It would be so tense and there would be a quiet moment. Then there’s the Monarch who are frantic and worried and trying to figure out how to stop Godzilla and how to mobilize the city. I always remembered watching those movies and the television shows where this was all happening. By default, I was a fan.
This is a film with a lot of CGI. Is this your first time shooting scenes with this format?
Aisha Hinds: Probably my first time doing a bit much. I was in Star Trek Into Darkness films and was on the bridge and saw the world outside the ship. The ship was all CGI but it definitely wasn’t as much as this film is. You have to display all these emotions while looking at a green screen, and be scared and concerned and as the leader of this team, you have to be in control. I had great people around who helped make it a fun experience. With O’Shea Jackson Jr., Anthony Ramos, and Thomas Middleditch, you couldn’t ask for a better group of people to make the experience as great as it was.
How much fun did you have on the set?
Aisha Hinds: It was so nice to move as an ensemble. Sometimes you can be on these big sets and you don’t see two or three of the characters. It doesn’t feel feel cohesive to you, but then we moved so much together. Sometimes it was in two or three different spaces, whether it was on the ship or on the ground. It helped tell a cohesive story and helped connect emotionally to what was happening with us and with Godzilla. It was really special to be there with Ken Watanabe because I remember watching movies with him in it. He felt like vintage Godzilla. With him being there, I would go to him on how to exist in the world of this movie because he’s been with the Godzilla for such a long time but it wonderful to have everyone around.
With 9-1-1 having wrapped its second season and coming back for another, how comforting is it take your character to new depths?
Aisha Hinds: I’m so happy about it all. I’m so grateful. I’m in that place in life where my cup runneth over, which I realized that at some point I’m going to have to start pouring out from that cup. Right now, I’m enjoying the blessings and looking forward to that time in life where I can begin to pour the blessings unto the next generations.
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