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2023 saw quite a few masterpieces (even though the box office disasters were more), andGodzilla Minus Onewas one of them.
Besides the tremendous critical praise it has earned from global audiences and critics, the movie seems to have gotten on the good side of quite a few celebrities in Hollywood as well. One of these is theStar Trekactor, Simon Pegg.
However, as compared to other notable reviewers, Pegg seemed to have a mixed opinion on the movie and the MonsterVerse.
This is because, on the one hand, while he greatly acknowledged the gem of a work that the film was, bringing about a new take on the Kaiju and its relationship with humans, he simultaneously also hinted that the MonsterVerse is“f—ing cultural appropriation.”
Simon Pegg LikesGodzilla Minus Onebut Can’t Stand the MonsterVerse?
Simon Pegghas worked on some of the biggest fan-favorite projects like theMission: ImpossibleandStar Warsfilm series. This is why it won’t be a lie to say that the actor has good taste in films and TV shows. That being said, he has also left his reviews on a few projects.
For instance, his most recent review was on the film that has been earning praise for being‘the best Kaiju movie in a long time’:Godzilla Minus One. And just like nearly every other fan on the planet, theShaun of the Deadactor seemed equally baffled by the 2023 masterpiece.
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But there’s a twist here, because while Peggdidpraise the movie, he also seemingly hinted that he considers the MonsterVerse to be a“f—ing cultural appropriation.”
According to what he said in a shared story on his Instagram handle (@simonpegg):
‘Godzilla Minus One’ is now on Netflix. So if you haven’t seen it, watch it. It’s the single best Godzilla movie since ‘Shin Godzilla’. It’s incredible.
While that is indeed some critical praise, the 54-year-old actor had even more to say about it. He said:
It’s a proper Godzilla movie made by the people who sired Godzilla from their subconscious as they wrestled with the massive ramifications of what happened during the Second World War.
Nowthatis an appraisal just might as well have surpassed evenHideo Kojima’s review of the film.
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However, what Pegg said next may not be deemed the best of comments from fans, especially those who have loved nearly every single movie to date from the MonsterVerse.
This is because theHot Fuzzactor’s concluding statement on this film byTakashi Yamazakisaid:
It’s not some rock ’em, sock ’em f—ing cultural appropriation.
As can be understood from his statement, Pegg seemingly unhesitantly hinted how he believes the MonsterVerse hasn’t really been doing justice to those Kaiju movies by undermining the Japanese culture, i.e. the culture that this entire monstrous lore officially originated from.
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That being said, fans are having quite a few different reactions totheStar Trek Beyondactor’s takeon the movie and the Kaiju universe.
Fans React to Simon Pegg’s Take onGodzilla Minus Oneand the MonsterVerse
On the one hand, some fans are genuinely pissed with this take from Pegg because they believe the MonsterVersewas actually the oneto save the“Gojira IP from bankruptcy”and that the actor probably hasn’t seen any other film from the universe besidesMinus OneandShin Godzilla.
On the other hand, some other fans pretty much agree with Pegg’s take and are jumping to his rescue as they admit how“Godzilla is Japanese, quite literally a monster whose metaphorical symbolism is unique to Japan”— something that has been changed with this modern, Western take.
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All in all, here is an overview of their varied reaction to Pegg’s review of the movie onX:
Perhaps, since many industry figures do often trash-talk the Monsterverse like that
— Kaiju No. 14 (@14_kaiju)August 09, 2025
Instead of throwing around dumb slogans like “cultural appropriation”, maybe Simon Pegg could try to write a good script. It’s been a while.
— Ryk Comerford (@Truth_Quest30)July 16, 2025
There could not be a sentence that screams “I’ve never watched any Japanese Godzilla movie besides -1 and Shin” louder than this. So many of you think of yourselves as revolutionary for having such a braindead mob take. The Monsterverse saved the Gojira IP from bankruptcy
— Amadeus (@cleansedAmadeus)June 04, 2025
Yeah I like Pegg but he lost me there.
— Bloodee Jacob (@BloodeeJacob)July 13, 2025
Honestly feel like he is talking about hollywood in general and other properties like disney and it’s owned properties
— Daniel (@lamentvania)July 19, 2025
Probably what he meant was, taking a Japanese creation and putting it in NYC instead of Tokyo (devoid of any hint of Japanese sensitivities and filling it up with American popcorn sensitivities). Westerners can’t even think of a monster-treatment like Shin Godzilla.
— Chemical Spy (@ChemicalSpy)June 14, 2025
Minus One is a great film, but MonsterVerse is its own thing and in many ways a throw back to a Godzilla of the late 60s-70s. So both are in the tradition of Japanese Godzilla, just in homage to different eras.Both can be good. No need to pick
— Alpha Flight Fandom (@AlphaTalking)July 04, 2025
Yes, because the Japanese are the only people to ever have been attacked with nuclear weapons. ‘Godzilla as a monster that stemmed from a nuclear attack’ is an idea that stemmed from an actual nuclear attack. It’s truly a Japanese saga.
— RedBeard (@BlackBeardToys)July 10, 2025
I mean it literally is. Godzilla is Japanese, quite literally a monster whose metaphorical symbolism is unique to Japan, but those movies basically made him into a national hero and diluted his cultural and political significance.Godzilla has never been to Japan in the movies
— Julian (@Julian_the_old)July 30, 2025
Well, looking at the situation from both points of view, it is pretty inevitable to agree that both are right with a few points in their own respective lanes. That said, we’ll let the fans decide the end result of this debate that Pegg has outstandingly managed to erupt among fans.
Until then, as Simon Pegg said, you can watchGodzilla Minus Oneon Netflix now.
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
