MonsterVerse Prequel to Monarch: Legacy of Monsters in Development at Apple TV
More series set in the Monsterverse are planned
The Monsterverse is getting bigger and bigger: the streaming service Apple TV has announced that a prequel series to "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" is in the works. The story will take viewers back to the era of the Cold War.
Once again, the series centers on Lee Shaw, played by Wyatt Russell. In 1984, the colonel embarks on a secret mission: he must prevent the Soviets from unleashing "a horrific new Titan". This threat could alter the outcome of the Cold War – and destroy the entire United States.
Leading actor Wyatt Russell already played the young version of Colonel Shaw in "Monarch". His father Kurt Russell plays the character there in the present day. The as-yet-untitled series is helmed by showrunner Joby Harold. The screenwriter is known for the "Star Wars" series "Obi-Wan Kenobi" as well as the DC film "The Flash". This new "Monarch" prequel is not expected to be the final MonsterVerse series. Harold will oversee all Apple TV productions for the franchise in the future. According to Apple, fans can look forward to familiar Titans as well as completely new ones.
First, however, season two of "Monarch" is set to premiere on February 27, 2026. We can also look forward to another movie, "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova". A little patience is still required: "Supernova" will be released on March 26, 2027. According to the latest information, Space Godzilla will play a key role. You can find all the details here.
The Monsterverse
With the film "Godzilla", Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. launched the so-called Monsterverse – a cinematic universe that reinterprets classic movie monsters such as Godzilla and King Kong in a coherent world. The aim is to bring iconic creatures of the kaiju genre to life in a modern way and link their stories together.
The films of the Monsterverse
Several movies have been released since the start in 2014. The reboot in 2014 established the idea that giant monsters have existed in secret on Earth for thousands of years. This was followed by "Kong: Skull Island" in 2017. This film shifted the focus to King Kong and was set in the 1970s. It introduced Skull Island as a central location and expanded the world with new creatures and the first hints of a larger mythology.
Several classic Toho monsters were brought back in 2019 with the sequel "Godzilla II: King of the Monsters". This only further deepened the titan mythology. Next up was "Godzilla vs. Kong" in 2021. The long-awaited clash between the two icons marked a temporary climax to the Monsterverse. At the same time, the film introduced new concepts such as the Hollow Earth, which became important for future stories. The last film to date is "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" and was released in 2024.
What makes the Monsterverse special?
The Monsterverse is characterized by several elements: Firstly, there is a shared universe: all films are set in the same world and in some cases build on each other. Events in one movie can have an impact on later stories. The mythology is also a success factor. The monsters are not pure destroyers, but part of an ancient ecological balance. They are often portrayed as forces of nature or god-like beings.
For many viewers, the modern reinterpretation of classic monsters is certainly also interesting, especially in terms of the visuals: well-known monsters are adapted visually and narratively to today's blockbuster standards. But above all, the series offers plenty of spectacle. Huge battles, monumental destruction and a strong focus on visual effects are central components.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
With "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters", Apple TV added a live-action series to the Monsterverse for the first time. The series follows members of the secret organization Monarch, which is dedicated to researching and monitoring the Titans. In terms of plot, the series combines the events from "Godzilla" with later developments in the universe and primarily sheds light on the human side of the monster world. At the same time, the series provides new background information on Monarch, the history of the Titans and their influence on the world.
