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Rise together or fall alone.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire[7], also known by the working title of "Origins" is a 2024 American science fiction monster film being produced by Legendary Pictures that acts as a sequel to the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong. It is the fifth entry in the MonsterVerse.

It was released to American theaters on March 29, 2024.[8] and was released to other Countries in early April.

The film is directed by Adam Wingard, produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Jon Jashni, Brian Rogers, Thomas Tull, and Eric McLeod with the screenplay written by Terry Rossio, Jeremy Slater, and Simon Barrett. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire begins three years after Godzilla vs. Kong, and see Godzilla and Kong team up to stop the tyrannical Skar King and his enslaved frost-breathing Titan Shimo from invading and destroying the surface.

A follow-up sequel for the film, written by David Callaham[9] and directed by Grant Sputore[10], is in development. It will be released on March 26, 2027.[11]

Synopsis[]

This latest entry follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. The epic new film will delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.[12]

Plot[]

In 2027, three years after Godzilla and Kong defeated a Ghidorah-influenced Mechagodzilla, Kong has established his territory in the recently discovered Hollow Earth. While on Earth's surface, Godzilla continues to maintain order between humanity and the Titans — defeating Scylla in Rome and resting in the Colosseum afterwards, claiming it as his territory.

A Monarch observation outpost stationed in the Hollow Earth picks up an unidentified signal. On the Earth’s surface, the signal causes Jia, the last member of the Iwi tribe from Skull Island, to experience hallucinations and flashbacks, causing her and her adopted mother, Dr. Ilene Andrews, to worry. Also sensing the signal, Godzilla leaves Rome and makes his way to France, where he attacks a nuclear plant to absorb the radiation before traveling to the lair of the Titan Tiamat in Greenland. Monarch believes Godzilla is strengthening himself for an oncoming threat.

When a sinkhole opens near his home, Kong discovers an uncharted region hidden within the Hollow Earth and a tribe of giant apes, including an adolescent named Suko. After an initial confrontation where Suko and the other apes attempt to capture him, Kong wins over Suko's trust by caring for him as the two start to slowly bond on their journey. Suko leads Kong to the tribe's lair, where their tyrannical leader, the Skar King, battles and injures Kong with the aid of an ancient ice-powered Titan named Shimo that Skar King controls with pain using a crystal. Shimo's ice breath injures Kong's right arm, but with Suko's help, he manages to escape after losing his axe.

Andrews and Jia, alongside Titan veterinarian Trapper and conspiracy podcaster Bernie Hayes, travel to the Hollow Earth to find the source of the signal. After finding the Monarch outpost destroyed, they discover an uncharted subterranean section that houses the city of Malenka and the remaining members of the Iwi tribe, a group of people who communicate telepathically among each other and from whom Jia is descended. Inspecting some ruins, they surmise that the signal was a telepathic distress call sent by another civilization of Iwi that live in the Hollow Earth.

As Andrews observes Jia socializing with the Iwi, she voices her fears to Trapper that Jia may choose to stay with the Iwi and Andrews would have to accept it. Inside a temple, Andrews uncovers a prophecy: long ago, Skar King attempted to take over the surface world, and waged war against Godzilla's species in the process; Godzilla succeeded in trapping Skar King and his tribe deep within the Hollow Earth. The prophecy also states that Jia would be the key to reawakening Mothra, who was recently killed by Ghidorah in 2019. Kong, sensing Jia, locates the temple and is fitted by Trapper with an advanced prosthetic arm to strengthen and heal his frostbitten arm. Unbeknownst to them, one of Skar King's minions, One-Eye, follows them and informs his master as he assembles his invasion force for Earth. Jia successfully awakens the reborn Mothra.

Meanwhile, Godzilla swiftly defeats Tiamat in Greenland in order to absorb the radiation from her lair, turning his dorsal plates magenta. Hoping to lure Godzilla to the Hollow Earth to assist him in battle, Kong surfaces in Cairo and calls out to Godzilla. Despite Kong's attempts to communicate, Godzilla mistakenly thinks his former rival is back for a rematch and attacks him, leading to the two Titans engaging in a brief fight until the reawakened Mothra arrives with Jia and intervenes, convincing Godzilla to aid Kong and help him fight against Skar King and his forces.

Godzilla, Kong and Mothra return to the Hollow Earth, where they battle against Skar King, his army and Shimo with assistance from Suko and Monarch. Eventually, the fight carries Godzilla, Kong, Skar King and Shimo into Rio de Janeiro, where Shimo begins to induce a second Ice Age at Skar King's command. The factions are evenly matched until Suko arrives with Kong's axe and smashes the crystal that is controlling Shimo. Freed from Skar King's control, Shimo freezes him under Godzilla's orders before Kong shatters his frozen body into pieces, ending Skar King's reign of terror once and for all.

After the battle, Godzilla reverses Shimo's ice age with his atomic breath before returning to Rome to rest in the Colosseum, Mothra restores the protective barrier of the Iwi’s home with her silk before flying away to look for a peaceful nesting ground and Kong, together with Shimo and Suko, returns to the Hollow Earth where he becomes the newfound leader of the tribe. At the same time, Jia reunites with Andrews and alleviates her fears by choosing to stay with her adopted mother.

Mothra's wail is heard after the credits rolled.

Cast[]

Staff[]

Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.

Appearances[]

Monsters[]


Organizations[]

Vehicles[]

Weapons[]


Development[]

2022[]

In March 2022, it was announced that a sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong is scheduled to commence filming later in the year in Gold Coast, Queensland and other locations in South East Queensland. In May 2022, it was announced that Wingard would return to direct and that Dan Stevens had been cast as the lead role. Wingard and Stevens had previously worked together on The Guest. On May 19, 2022, Production Weekly reported that the sequel's working title is Origins.[13]

Filming officially began on July 29, 2022.[14]

On July 1, 2022, Toho confirmed that the film would feature Godzilla.[15]

In August 2022, Collider reported that Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Kaylee Hottle would reprise their roles from Godzilla vs Kong while Fala Chen, Alex Ferns and Rachel House would join the cast as well. Collider also revealed that Terry Rossio returned to write the script with Jeremy Slater and Simon Barrett.[16]

On August 25, Tom Holkenborg was set to return to compose the score for the film, after previously doing so for Godzilla vs. Kong.[17]

On November 10, production photos and news reports revealed the film's title will be "Godzilla and Kong".[18][19]

2023[]

On April 19, 2023, a title teaser for the film was released, with the title revealed to be Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.[8]

On August 24, 2023, the film was rescheduled to April 12, 2024, in which The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim was originally going to be released before it got rescheduled to a December 2024 date, and Dune: Part Two taking over the film's original release date from it's original November 2023 date, due to the ongoing Hollywood labor disputes.[20]

On September 29, 2023, an official banner for the film was shown at the New York Toy Fair slated for September 30 to October 3. [21]

On November 22, 2023, Warner Bros. announced that Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Adam Wingard will be featured alongside Furiosa, Dune: Part II and Aquaman 2 at the Brazil CCXP from November 30 to December 3.[22]

On November 28, 2023, the official Godzilla x Kong Instagram page uploaded a series of pictures related to the film and its panel at CCXP.[23]

On November 29, 2023, the official Godzilla x Kong Instagram page uploaded a teaser poster of the red ape from the April teaser and the name of the titan: Skar King.[24] Collider also released a photo of the Godzilla x Kong booth at CCXP.[25]

On November 30, 2023, the official Godzilla x Kong Instagram page uploaded two more posters of Godzilla and Kong.[26]

On December 2, 2023, IGN released three new images from the film, featuring Kong, Illene and Jia with Dan Stevens' character Trapper, and Godzilla in a metamorphosis stage in ice.[27] Few hours later, Legendary updated their shopping website with the addition of two shirts for the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire: one for Kong, and the second for Godzilla in his evolved form.[28]

On December 3, 2023, the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire trailer and official poster were released.

On December 12, 2023, Toho updated their Godzilla Movie Twitter account with the Japan release date of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire set for April 26, 2024. [29]

On December 24, 2023, merchandise for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire have started to hit shelves at retail stores, one of which revealed the fourth major Titan to debut alongside Godzilla, Kong, and Skar King: Shimo. [30]

2024[]

On January 1, 2024, the Playmates merchandise have officially been revealed at retail stores and online.[31] The toyline have also revealed the juvenile ape's name in Godzilla x Kong: Suko.

On January 2, 2024, Total Film released three new images of the film in production, featuring Adam Wingard, Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens and Brian Tyree Henry.[32] Few hours later, toy and game manufacturer and distributor Imports Dragon released two ads of the Playmates Godzilla x Kong toyline, which contains several more seconds of sequences from the film, including Godzilla's rise in the artic region after his evolution, Kong emerging from the sands in Egypt, the beginning sequence of Suko beating his chest, and the ending sequence of the Skar King roaring in his Hollow Earth lair.[33]

On January 7, 2024, clothing company Ripple Junction made apparels based on Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.[34]

On January 9, 2024, a short Japanese trailer of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released, which contained a scene of Godzilla, is his initial form, in the center of the Roman Colosseum in Italy. Over an hour later, the film's release date was bumped up to March 29, 2024, in which the Warner Bros. film Mickey 17 was delayed from the March 29 date due to post strike production shifts.[8]

On January 16, 2024, theater merchandise for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire were released online.[35]

On January 22, 2024, a short Chinese trailer of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released, which contained a scene of Kong with his B.E.A.S.T. Glove. Few hours later, the film's Chinese poster was released.[36] Hours later, Walmart updated their website with the addition of clothing for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, including a sweatshirt for Shimo.[37]

On January 25, 2024, the MPA officially rated Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire PG-13 for "creature violence and action".[38]

On February 2, 2024, three new shirts from Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire were released online.

On February 10, 2024, a poster of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire commemorating the Lunar New Year was released online.[39]

On February 11, 2024, a second trailer for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was announced to be released on Wednesday, February 14 during the Puppy Bowl XX on Animal Planet via teaser. The teaser also contained a few seconds of Kong turning around and beating his chest in Hollow Earth.[40]

On February 12, 2024, Empire released a new image of Godzilla and Kong roaring together.[41]

On February 14, 2024, the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire second trailer and second poster were released. The trailer contains sneak peeks at Shimo's design and power, Skar King utilizing his fully shown Whipslash, scenes of Godzilla and Kong, and the confirmation of a titan's return: Mothra.

On February 25, 2024, a 17 second teaser to promote the film in IMAX was released online. It contains a scene of Suko leading Kong to a lake in the Hollow Earth with the phrase "Filmed for IMAX" on the screen.[42]

On the consecutive dates of February 27[43], March 1[44], March 8[45], and March 9[46], Legendary, through their MonsterVerse Weibo account, released official profiles in Chinese for Godzilla, Kong, Skar King, and Suko from the film, which revealed the official heights for the new titans: Skar King being 318 feet, and Suko over 149 feet.

On February 28, 2024, the prequel comic Godzilla x Kong: The Hunted was released to those who contributed through the Kickstarter program revealed that Scylla will be in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and will fight Godzilla in Rome, Italy.

On March 1, 2024, two TV spots of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire were released on the South African Warner Bros. YouTube channel.

On March 2, 2024, a new poster was released, followed by an IMAX poster two days later.

On March 7, 2024, China released a TV spot of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on the Taiwanese Warner Bros. YouTube channel. The spot displays the Skar King utilizing his agility, and another shot of Shimo being tackled by Godzilla, showcasing her height.

On March 13, 2024, Warner Bros. released a ticket on sale trailer; the first half of the trailer also commemorated the MonsterVerse's tenth anniversary since starting in 2014 with Godzilla. On the same day, the main title theme music from composer Tom Holkenborg and Antonio Di Iorio for the upcoming movie have been released. In addition, four new posters have been released for the movie: another IMAX poster, one for Dolby, one for ScreenX, and one for RealD 3D.

On March 14, 2024, the second poster of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released on the Japanese Toho website. [47] Later that night, a third trailer and a new poster was released on the Chinese Weibo website. [48]

On March 19, 2024, a new song for the film titled "Beast Mode" performed by BigXthaPlug and Ro$ama was released.

On March 20, 2024, Good Morning America released an interview of the main cast of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and three clips from the film were released online.

On March 25, 2024, a fourth and final trailer and a new poster was released on the Chinese Weibo website. Both the trailer and poster showcases a full look at Shimo's body, and Mothra's new form was shown at the end of the trailer.[49]

On March 26, 2024, a second Japanese trailer of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released on the Godzilla Toho website.[50]

On April 11, 2024, a third Japanese trailer of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released on the Godzilla Toho website. The trailer releases the Japanese dub actors and the Japanese single Yaffle x AI「RISE TOGETHER feat. OZworld」 accompanying the Japanese dub of the film.[51]

On April 18, 2024, China released an announcement on the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Weibo account that the film's theatrical run will be extended until May 28th.

On April 26, 2024, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released in Japan, and Toho released three ads commemorating the film.

On May 7, 2024, Warner Bros. revealed that the digital format of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be released on May 14.[52] Couple hours later, the DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4KHD versions of the physical format was revealed to be scheduled for release on June 11, 2024.[53]

Trivia[]

  • During pre-production, it was confirmed that Millie Bobby Brown, who portrayed Madison Russell in both 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong, won't be returning for this film, due to working on the upcoming film adaptation of Simon Stålenhag's sci-fi graphic novel, The Electric State.
  • The tone of the film was inspired by the Showa era of Godzilla, particularly with the interactions between the monsters.[54] Animated cartoons of the 1980s like ThunderCats and Masters of the Universe were also influences in the color palette.[55]
    • Director Adam Wingard revealed that Godzilla's evolution was one of the story elements of the movie, explaining that the pink coloring in Godzilla's evolution felt very "Showa era", and was chosen to invoke the "technicolor, psychedelic influence" of the films.[56]
  • According to Wingard, the scenes where Godzilla is hibernating in the Roman Coliseum were inspired by his cat, Mischief, resting in her catnest when he was working with the film's production designer. Photos of Mischief also appear in the film, including one at the Hollow Earth Monarch station.[57]
  • When leaving Rome, Godzilla steps on a graffitied wall that causes the ground to push up in front of him. This shot was an homage to the previous Godzilla film Godzilla Minus One, based on a scene from the film's trailer where Minus One Godzilla pushes the groundup.[57]
  • In the trailer, Trapper said "they don't have to like each other; they just need to work together" but in the theatrical release, he never said this.
  • In an interview, Adam Wingard said that if he were to create a sequel to this film it would reach an emotional level of hype as was seen in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.[58]
  • This is the second film in the MonsterVerse (after 2014's Godzilla) to have no human antagonists.
  • This is the first MonsterVerse film not to have a 3D Disc among its initial home media releases.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” Will Stomp Into Theaters Early - Motion Picture Association
  2. Weekly Bulletin NO: 2632 - FilmRatings.com. FilmRatings.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024
  3. ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Will Bunny Hop To $135M Global Opening As Legendary’s Monsterverse Franchise Roars Past $2 Billion – Easter Box Office Preview. Deadline.
  4. Box Office: ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Staying on Top, ‘Monkey Man’ Swings Into Second and ‘The First Omen’ Gets Crossed Up. Variety (6 April 2024).
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 29 March 2024.
  6. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire at an AMC Theater near you.. AMC Theaters. Retrieved on 7 March 2024.
  7. Mendelson, Scott and Gonzales, Umberto (August 24, 2023). ‘Dune 2’ Delayed to March 2024 While ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Moves to April. Retrieved on August 24, 2023.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Godzilla x Kong bumped up two weeks early (January 9, 2024). Retrieved on January 9, 2024.
  9. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.Kit, Borys (May 10, 2024). . Retrieved on May 10, 2024.
  10. You must specify title = and url = when using {{cite web}}.X (June 6, 2024). . Retrieved on June 6, 2024.
  11. Warner Bros & Legendary Date Denis Villeneuve Movie For Holiday 2026; Smart Money Is On ‘Dune 3,’ And Next Monsterverse Pic Is Early 2027. Retrieved on June 28, 2024.
  12. Marco Vito Oddo (August 25, 2022). ‘Godzilla vs. Kong 2’ Synopsis Reveals New Details About Monsterverse Sequel. Collider. Retrieved on August 25, 2022.
  13. Peters, Megan (March 20, 2022). Godzilla vs Kong Sequel Shares New Filming Details. ComicBook. Retrieved on March 20, 2022.
  14. 7NEWS Brisbane (July 29, 2022). 'Godzilla vs. Kong' sequel begins filming. Twitter. Retrieved on July 29, 2022.
  15. https://godzilla.com/news/godzilla-vs-kong-sequel-announcement/
  16. Marco Vito Oddo (August 25, 2022). ‘Godzilla vs. Kong 2’ Synopsis Reveals New Details About Monsterverse Sequel. Collider. Retrieved on August 25, 2022.
  17. Tom Holkenborg to Return for Adam Wingard’s ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Sequel. Film Music Reporter (August 25, 2022).
  18. KDM (November 10, 2022). „That‘s a wrap“ (in Australia) Godzilla & Kong. Twitter. Retrieved on November 10, 2022.
  19. Godzilla and Kong crew wear
  20. Legacy, Spencer (April 19, 2023). Godzilla vs. Kong 2 Gets Full Title, First Teaser Trailer. Retrieved on April 19, 2023.
  21. Twitter (September 29, 2023). Godzilla x Kong banner revealed at New York Toy Fair. Retrieved on September 29, 2023.
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  23. CBR (November 28, 2023). Something is coming.... Retrieved on November 28, 2023.
  24. Screen Rant (November 29, 2023). "Bow To Your New King": Godzilla Vs Kong 2 Reveals Epic & Bloody New Poster. Retrieved on November 29, 2023.
  25. Collider (November 29, 2023). 'Godzilla x Kong' CCXP Booth Puts the Monsters Head to Head. Retrieved on November 29, 2023.
  26. Collider (November 30, 2023). Godzilla and Kong Are Ready to Team Up in 'New Empire' Character Posters. Retrieved on November 30, 2023.
  27. IGN (December 2, 2023). Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Director on Titanus Doug's Return, New 'Kong-Like' Villain. Retrieved on December 2, 2023.
  28. Legendary Shop (December 2, 2023). Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire apparel. Retrieved on December 2, 2023.
  29. Twitter (December 12, 2023). Godzilla x Kong Japanese Release Date. Retrieved on December 12, 2023.
  30. Godzilla-Movies (December 24, 2023). Godzilla x Kong toys offer first look at Shimo. Retrieved on December 24, 2023.
  31. Twitter (January 1, 2024). Godzilla x Kong Playmates on sale. Retrieved on January 1, 2024.
  32. Matt Maytum (January 2, 2024). Godzilla x Kong director teases homages to previous Toho eras: "keep your eyes open". Retrieved on January 2, 2024.
  33. YouTube (January 2, 2024). Godzilla x Kong toy ads by Imports Dragon. Retrieved on January 2, 2024.
  34. Ripple Junction (January 7, 2024). Godzilla x Kong Ripple Junction apparels. Retrieved on January 7, 2024.
  35. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Theater goodies (January 16, 2024). Retrieved on January 16, 2024.
  36. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Shares New Poster of Its Titans (January 22, 2024). Retrieved on January 22, 2024.
  37. Walmart (January 22, 2024). Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire apparel. Retrieved on January 22, 2024.
  38. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Rating (January 25, 2024). Retrieved on January 25, 2024.
  39. New Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Lunar New Year (February 10, 2024). Retrieved on February 10, 2024.
  40. New Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Trailer on Wednesday (February 11, 2024). Retrieved on February 11, 2024.
  41. Ben Travis (February 12, 2024). Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’s ‘Buddy-Cop’ Dynamic Is Inspired By Lethal Weapon – Exclusive Image. Retrieved on February 12, 2024.
  42. New Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire IMAX Look (February 25, 2024). Retrieved on February 25, 2024.
  43. https://weibo.com/6109987426/O2wqO1xso#repost
  44. https://weibo.com/6109987426/O2YK7assm
  45. https://weibo.com/6109987426/O44RI6oa6
  46. https://weibo.com/6109987426/O4lagmryg
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  49. https://weibo.com/u/6109987426
  50. https://godzilla-movie.jp/
  51. https://godzilla-movie.jp/
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  53. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire available on physical format (May 7, 2024). Retrieved on May 7, 2024.
  54. Crow, David (March 30, 2024). Godzilla x Kong Director Explains That Surprise Monster Cameo Ending. Den of Geek.
  55. Weintraub, Steven (April 1, 2024). The Bizarre Way Elon Musk Influenced 'Godzilla x Kong'. Collider.
  56. Director Adam Wingard discusses how Godzilla’s evolved form was inspired by the Showa era.. Instagram (April 3, 2024).
  57. 57.0 57.1 Davids, Brian (March 26, 2024). ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Director Adam Wingard Talks His Cat’s Influence on Godzilla and Lance Reddick’s Role in ‘The Guest 2’. The Hollywood Reporter.
  58. Salazar, Andrew J. (April 4, 2024). 'Godzilla x Kong' Director Adam Wingard Teases Baby Godzilla and Destoroyah Inspirations in his Next MonsterVerse Sequel. DiscussingFilm.



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