See Five Alternate 'Godzilla' Designs

After years of secrecy about the look of Legendary's new take on Godzilla, the giant lizard's current form has been seen round the world via marketing materials and screenings of the new film. But the big guy wasn't just born like that. Many concept designs were produced and considered as the folks at Legendary, along with director Gareth Edwards, decided on the proper look for their film. Now, some of those alternate Godzilla designs are out in the wild, too. See a few below.

These images come from the book Godzilla: The Art of Destruction, which is in book stores and online now. The book details the production process through a collection of all the materials you'd expect. Included are concept images featuring versions of Godzilla that didn't make the cut.

One fold-out centerpiece spread is decorated with these images, and also comments from Edwards talking about why the various iterations didn't end up being the final. There are more than these in the book, but this set here is what's online now.

Godzilla opens in the US on May 16. Images here via STYD.

In Summer 2014, the world's most revered monster is reborn as Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures unleash the epic action adventure "Godzilla." From visionary new director Gareth Edwards ("Monsters") comes a powerful story of human courage and reconciliation in the face of titanic forces of nature, when the awe-inspiring Godzilla rises to restore balance as humanity stands defenseless.