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The MonsterVerse is going to continue for at least one more movie. Legendary has brought on screenwriter Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) to pen a follow-up to this year’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which is currently in theaters. This, according to The Hollywood Reporter, though the outlet does not have any details on the potential story.
This means, at least to start, the studio will be working with a new creative team. Adam Wingard directed both 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong. His frequent collaborator Simon Barrett worked on the screenplay, as did Terry Rossio and Jeremy Slater. It has yet to be confirmed if Wingard will return for the next film, but he is currently gearing up to shoot his new A24 movie Onslaught this fall. Wingard also has been developing Face/Off 2, as well as a Thundercats movie. So, if Legendary and Warner Bros. want him back, they are going to have to wait.
As for Callaham, he is no stranger to big-budget franchise films. He has written everything from The Expendables to the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movies. Genre fans might know him best for Zombieland: Double Tap or 2021’s Mortal Kombat movie, which is getting a sequel. Interestingly enough, Callaham actually got a story credit on 2014’s Godzilla, which was directed by Gareth Edwards. That movie kicked off the MonsterVerse, which now consists of five films in total, including 2107’s Kong: Skull Island and 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
Legendary and WB have every motivation to keep the franchise going. Godzilla x Kong has been a big success, taking in $555 million at the box office to date. That is second only to Skull Island, which pulled in $568 million in its day. The franchise also expanded to TV last with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+. That show is returning for a second season, with several spin-off shows in development as well. A decade in and this universe is arguably stronger than ever.
As for where things go from there? Godzilla and King Kong are both very much on the board. Perhaps it’s time to bring back some classic Toho monsters to play in this sandbox? King of the Monsters brought King Ghidorah and Rodan into the mix but Godzilla’s bench of monsters runs deep and surely some of them could fit into Legendary’s plans. Your move, Callaham.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is in theaters now. For more, you can read Fango’s original reveal of 2014’s Godzilla.
