It didn’t take long for Legendary to find its replacement for the nextGodzilla x Kongmovie followingthe departure of Adam Wingarda couple of weeks ago. The latest sequel in theMonsterVersewillbe directed by Australian filmmakerGrant Sputore, who has just one feature under his belt thus far, that beingthe 2019 Netflix cyberpunk thrillerI Am Motherstarring Hilary Swank, Rose Byrne, and Clara Rugaard. While Wingard’s exit from the franchise came as a surprise to some given the success of the latest film, it reportedly boiled down to a “timing issue,”with the door being left open for him to return in the future.
As perDeadline, Sputore will tag into direct the next installment in Legendary’sMonsterVersethat began in 2014 withGodzilla, and has since birthed four more films, an animated Netflix series, and a successful live-action show on Apple TV+. Sputore came from the world of television commercials before directing his first feature in 2019,which was nominated for two AACTA Awards(Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) for Best Supporting Actress in Hilary Swank, and Best Visual Effects or Animation.I Am Mothercurrently holdsan 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
While people have been lamenting thedecline in box office numberssince the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Legendary hasmanaged to find success with its continuedMonsterVerse. 2021’sGodzilla vs. Kongmanagedto take in $470.1 million dollars, while the latest installment released earlier this year brought home a whopping $567.6 million, makingGodzilla x Kong: The New Empirethemost successful film in theMonsterVersefranchise to date. Collectively, the series has earned an impressive$2.5 billion dollars worldwide.
What Will the Next Godzilla x Kong Movie Be About?
While it’s unclear at this point exactly what the next film in theMonsterVersesaga will be about, it isexpected to be a continuation of events from the previous entryfeaturing Godzilla, King Kong, anda number of other Titans.Godzilla x Kong: The New Empiresaw the return of Mothra to the franchise following her appearance in 2019’sGodzilla: King of the Monsters, and while the series has also seen appearances by Rhodan and King Ghidorah, thereare a number of other Titans that have yet to show up, including Gigan, SpaceGodzilla, and Anguirus.
What is known is that the next film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse willbe penned by screenwriter Dave Callaham, whose previous credits includeWonder Woman 1984,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, andSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Callaham also had a hand in writing the reboot ofMasters of the Universe, which recentlytapped Nicholas Galitzine to star as Prince Adam/He-Man.
5 Ways Godzilla x Kong Sets up a Son of Kong Sequel
The success of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire likely means the continuation of the MonsterVerse, potentially with a Son of Kong movie.
As theMonsterVersecontinues to expand with another theatrical film,it will also continue on the small screen, asMonarch: Legacy of Monstershas officially been renewed for a second season at Apple TV+, and there area number of other projectsalso currently in the works.
All entries in Legendary’sMonsterVerseare available to stream on Max, except forGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which is still available only to rent or purchase on all VOD platforms.
