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SPOILER WARNING: This section may contain major plot and/or ending details. Proceed at your own discretion. |
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Mantleclaws, are large, quasi-insectoid vertebrate[5] superspecies created by Legendary Pictures that first appeared in the 2023 television series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Rockclaws also known as Rock Critters, a species from the same family tree as the Mantleclaws, appeared in the 2021 film, Godzilla vs. Kong.
Name[]
The creature as it appears in the art book.
In-universe, Rockclaws are named due to their rocky armor, their ability of burrowing through solid rock, and their crab-like claws. Prior to this, the creatures had no official name.[6] They have also been nicknamed as "Rock Critters" by creature designer Ken Barthelmey;[1] the artbook likewise refers to them by this nomenclature. In addition, the Godzilla vs. Kong exhibit at the Japanese attraction Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji identifies them as Rock Critters.[7] In the film's novelization, they are simply called "crab-creatures."[8] The Mantleclaws were named due to their ability of burrowing through the Earth's mantle and their crab-like claws.[9]
The film's English audio description identified them as "arachno-claws", which are the creature from the 2005 film King Kong. They are given the nickname as "Rock Crabs" in PUBG Mobile's Godzilla event.[10] However, they are also nicknamed "Lava Crabs" VFX supervisor John DesJardin, "Lava creature" by artist Xander Smith and "Rock Creature" (ロッククリーチャー Rokku Kurīchā?) by the film's Japanese theater program.[4]
Design[]
Appearance[]
In terms of general appearance, the Rockclaws are massive multi-legged creatures, with thick spiked carapaces, small faces, and long finger-like claws that mimic the shape of pincers. Their carapaces notably resemble rocks, most likely evolved as a form of camouflage. Parts of the body is unarmored, revealing dense musculature and a long tail. Despite their arachnoid theme, concept artist Xander Smith has stated that the creatures are actually vertebrates,[5] as they possess a skeletal system.[11]
The Mantleclaw, a Rockclaw relative that resides on Skull Island, while similar in size, possesses several morphological differences. The Mantleclaw has a flat, less spiked carapace and a more crab-like posture, with two massive appendages that split between crustacean-like pincers and finger-like claws. It possessed a small pair of manipulator limbs close to its mouth, which was formed from two conical plates and surrounded by four chelicerae. It lacked the long tail of the Rockclaws.
Portrayal[]
Both the Rockclaws and the Mantleclaws are portrayed by CGI.
Roar[]
Rockclaws produce a series of chitters. The Mantleclaw on Skull Island made similar vocalizations.
Personality[]
The Rockclaws are classified by Monarch as "destroyers". They spend much of their time feeding on the rich minerals of their environment. Rockclaws tend to lay partially buried underground and will relocate if disturbed by larger creatures. Juvenile Rockclaws will generate small-scale quakes to topple potential predators before dashing away to safety.
When the Skull Island Mantleclaw was disturbed by a Mother Longlegs, it engaged the spider in combat, which implies a propensity to fight off creatures of similar size.
Origins[]
Rockclaw Grub[]
These grubs spend most of their time feeding on the rich minerals of their environment. Over time, their exoskeleton begins to harden, where tiny crystals form in the undersides of their shells. These mineralized tissues develop to form the rock-like structural features the creature is named after.
The Rockclaws evolved within the Hollow Earth. They appear to inhabit the open plains of the subterranean ecosystem, camouflaging against the ground until disturbed. They are prey items for many of the predatory species in the Hollow Earth, such as Hollow Earth lizards. The Mantleclaws appear to exclusively inhabit Skull Island.
History[]
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters[]
A Mantleclaw stands on a cliff while debris falls around it. Bill Randa is standing behind it.
At some point during the 1973 Monarch expedition to Skull Island, William Randa encountered a Mantleclaw laying dormant on a small cliffside on Skull Island's shoreline while he was running from a Mother Longlegs. Upon sensing the arachnid, the Mantleclaw arose and engaged the massive spider in a brutal brawl. Eventually, the Mother Longlegs managed to impale the Mantleclaw directly in the face with one of its limbs, causing the creature to stumble backwards in a panic and into the ocean, pulling the Mother Longlegs with it.
Godzilla vs. Kong[]
A Rockclaw is devoured by a Hollow Earth lizard
As Kong traverses the Hollow Earth, he nearly tramples a group of Rockclaws as they are camouflaging against the ground. Disturbed, the creatures get up to move away, but one is snatched up and eaten by a Hollow Earth lizard. As Kong continues running, groups of Rockclaws can be seen scattering.
In the novelization of the film, the pack of Rockclaws are attacked by several Hollow Earth lizards instead of just one.
MonsterVerse Declassified[]
Abilities[]
Burrowing[]
Rockclaws can burrow beneath the ground at average speeds of 36 miles per hour, or roughly 58 kilometers per hour. As a result of this burrowing, the creatures can generate magnitude 2.4 earthquakes.[4]
Camouflage[]
The Rockclaws have evolved a rock-like carapace that allows them to camouflage against the ground, shielding them from predators. The Mantleclaw exhibits similar behavior.
Miscellaneous[]
Rockclaws are capable of three unspecified maneuvers that are not seen used in the film or the film's novelization: Pincer Bomb (ピンサー爆弾 Pinsā bakudan?), Scatter Cutter (スキャッターカッター?), and Boulder Dash (ボールダーダッシュ?).[4]
Movements[]
On average, a Rockclaw's speed is about 52 miles per hour, or roughly 84 kilometers per hour.[4]
Pincers[]
The pincers of the Rockclaws have a clamping force of 5,400 pounds per square inch, or roughly 37,200 kilopascals. This clamping strength enables them to break open the shell of their prey.[4] The pincers of the Mantleclaw are capable of grappling creatures of similar size, and snapping off the limbs of monsters such as the Mother Longlegs.
Strength and combat[]
The Rockclaw is capable of warding off an adversary comparable in height, such as a Mother Longlegs, through physical confrontation. But Mother Longlegs was too strong for the monstrous creature, and she quickly pushed it off the edge, leaving the winner of the pivotal battle unseen.
Trivia[]
- While the Rockclaws are vertebrate creatures, the film's Japanese release erroneously refers to them as crustaceans.[4]
List of appearances[]
Films[]
- Godzilla vs. Kong (First appearance)
Television[]
Comics[]
Novels[]
Video games[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Barthelmey, Ken (April 14, 2021). ‘Rock Critter’ concepts I did for ‘Godzilla vs Kong’.. Instagram. Retrieved on April 14, 2021.
- ↑ Frei, Vincent (May 24, 2021). Godzilla vs Kong: John ‘DJ’ DesJardin – Overall VFX Supervisor. Art of VFX.
- ↑ Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Driscoll23Jack (December 2, 2021). Godzilla vs. Kong (Japanese release) pamphlet (Tweet). Twitter.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Smith, Xander. More sketches from Godzilla v Kong, at one point in the script the rock creatures might have been composed of crystals, so we did quite a bit of exploration with the team at @thestudioadi . Swipe to see Zbrush maquette developments that we went through with production.. Instagram.
- ↑ Smith, Xander. Concept art for Godzilla vs Kong with the brilliant team at @thestudioadi I did back in 2018 , very rewarding to see the final creature design be 1:1 with our concepts.. Instagram. Retrieved on April 13, 2021.
- ↑ Kaiju News Outlet (November 23, 2021). New images from the "Godzilla vs. Kong" exhibit at the Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji attraction (Tweet). Twitter.
- ↑ Leyes, Greg. Godzilla vs. Kong - The Official Movie Novelization. Titan Books. p. 221. April 6, 2021. ISBN: 9781789097351. ASIN: B08R6PKDFS.
- ↑ Tremble before this first look at the Titans from Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Entertainment Weekly (November 3, 2023).
- ↑ RAPTOR (May 17, 2021). TROLLING THE SKULLCRAWLER 😂🤣😂. YouTube.
- ↑ Smith, Xander (April 15, 2021). Final sculpture of the creature I designed for Godzilla vs Kong with the incredible team at @thestudioadi . Was a great experience to finalize a maquette for the film using @zbrushatpixologic . Would make a great 3D print!. Instagram.
