"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is already the fifth part of the so-called MonsterVerse and is eagerly anticipated by fans. Ever since the first teaser trailer in early summer, many have been wondering what the "Godzilla vs. Kong" sequel is all about. While the series "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" is being released on Apple TV+, it's high time for us to take a more detailed look at the next movie and the future of the MonsterVerse.

Plot

The big question, of course, has to be: what is "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" about? According to official sources, Godzilla and Kong are up against a colossal menace hidden in our world that threatens both them and mankind. The movie is said to deal with the history of the titans and the secrets of Skull Island. It will also focus on the legendary battles from which the monsters emerged and which connect them to humans.

What the aforementioned threat may be about becomes clear when we watch the teaser trailer: The video shows us a red ape titan sitting on a majestic throne in the mysterious Hollow Earth. Around him lie the remains of other titans, whose bones serve only as testimony to a bygone era. His eyes glow an intense blue, reminiscent of the energy of the Hollow Earth. Towards the end of the trailer, we see the skulls of Godzilla and Kong glowing in a mesmerizing interplay of blue and yellow light. The presence of the titan bones around the throne suggests that this new Kaiju is an ancient creature and perhaps one of the few survivors of the massive Kaiju War.

A first version of the movie has already been screened to a test audience. Its verdict: the movie is reminiscent of the "Godzilla" movies belonging to the Showa series. This describes the first Godzilla movies of the 50s to 70s. But even though Godzilla is in the title, he seems to play a rather minor role this time. The plot is supposed to focus heavily on Kong. It is therefore probably no coincidence that the Titan in the teaser is an Ape Kaiju.

The Cast of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

According to initial reports, the human actors in "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" are featured to a greater extent than in the previous three movies. This will naturally make fans prick up their ears: humans are often regarded as the weak point of monster movies. In addition to a compelling story, the cast is therefore particularly important.

This time, "Downton Abbey" star Dan Stevens is assuming the lead role - an actor with quite a bit of experience. Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Kaylee Hottle will reprise their roles from "Godzilla vs Kong". They will be joined by "Irma Vep" actress Fala Chen, "EastEnders" actor Alex Ferns, and Rachel House, who can currently be seen in the Australian comedy series "Heartbreak High".

Production

Filming for "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" began about a year ago in Australia on the scenic Gold Coast and in the South East Queensland region. The first images from the set at the time showed people fleeing on a beach - probably a scene that is supposed to be set on the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.

As with its predecessor, the movie was directed by Adam Wingard, so we can probably look forward to similarly epic big screen action as in the successful "Godzilla vs Kong". Shooting of the new MonsterVerse movie has been completed as of November 2022. This is a good sign, as it gives a lot of time for post-production and therefore particularly impressive effects.

But when will "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" be released? Well, the theatrical release of the eagerly awaited sequel is scheduled for April 12, 2024. So the next trailer shouldn't be too long in coming.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

While we wait for "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire", another series continues the story of the MonsterVerse. But what is "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" about? The story revolves around Cate Randa, a teacher whose life changes forever on G-Day. On this fateful day, not only does she lose her home in San Francisco, but also her father. In order to fathom his fate, she sets off on a journey to Tokyo. There, she learns not only about her half brother Kentaro, but also about her father's double life. Together, the siblings meet the mysterious soldier Lee Shaw, played by Kurt Russell. He holds valuable information about the origins of the monster attacks.

A mysterious organization called Monarch is now after them. This group and its activities involving the Titans are of course well known to MonsterVerse fans. The plot will mainly refer to the first "Godzilla" movie and take place before the "Godzilla vs. Kong" movies.

The series was created by Chris Black exclusively for the Apple TV+ streaming service, in close collaboration with renowned comic book author Matt Fraction. After Apple officially commissioned the series in January 2022, filming began in July 2022 under the direction of Matt Shakmann, who previously demonstrated his skills with "WandaVision".

The long-awaited premiere of the first season of "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" is slated for November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+. Fans can look forward to a total of 10 episodes, which will be released weekly until January 12, 2024. In addition to the family drama, the trailer also promises some monster action.