Ken Watanabe on Staying Motivated By Pretending Godzilla is Real And Knows Your Address
Ken Watanabe has been a staple of Warner Brothers’ “Monsterverse” film franchise since its debut with 2014’s Godzilla. The 61 year-old actor sat down with us to discuss how he stays motivated personally and professionally by pretending that Godzilla is real and knows his home address.
Plot Twist: How do you keep motivated to work after such a long and prolific career?
Ken Watanabe: Well if you love what you do then it isn’t really work. I try to have fun with every role I get. I also tell myself every day that Godzilla is real and knows my address.
PT: So what happens if you stop working? Do you think Godzilla will come to your house and kill you?
KW: Precisely. He won’t just kill me either. He’ll call me a loser and give me a wedgie in front of my neighbors. Then he will kill me.
PT: What about in your personal life? Does Godzilla motivate you there too?
KW: Absolutely. For example, to make sure I compost my food waste, I just imagine that Godzilla and his friends Donnie and Rocko will break my legs with baseball bats.
PT: Why would Godzilla need a baseball bat? He's pretty big if I remember.
KW: That's just Hollywood wizardry. Godzilla is actually about 6' 4" and makes people kiss this giant ring on his big meaty finger. It’s really very intimidating.
PT: We’d be lying if we said we’ve ever thought about Godzilla like this.
KW: Well you should start. Godzilla know’s everyone’s address just like Santa Claus. Santa actually got the idea from Godzilla. And also just like Santa, Godzilla knows everything you’ve done. So yes, forget to compost or make your bed or paint houses. You may not see consequences now, but one day you will pay for it.
PT: Do you hate Godzilla for what he’s done to you?
KW: No. Sure, I live my life in fear and I’m constantly on the move, but look how far I’ve come since Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant. I couldn’t really ask for much more.
