How Godzilla x Kong 2’s Villain Could Grant a Long-Awaited Rematch Wish Missing from Godzilla’s Movies for 54 Years

For over five decades, attempts to stage a rematch between Godzilla and Hedorah have stumbled, but there may finally be a chance within the Monsterverse. Despite the 1971 classic, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, featuring a distinctly psychedelic aesthetic and a villain that resembles a blob, its core themes align well with the Monsterverse’s narrative style, making it a candidate for modern adaptation.

Hedorah, often referred to as the Smog Monster, is an extraterrestrial entity that thrives on pollution, representing one of Godzilla’s diverse array of adversaries. His arrival on Earth in Godzilla vs. Hedorah was driven by this insatiable appetite for environmental destruction. Despite its seemingly innocuous appearance, Hedorah proved to be a significant threat to Godzilla in the film. Though ultimately vanquished, Hedorah’s legacy as a memorable foe persisted, with sporadic appearances, including a cameo in 2004’s Godzilla: Final Wars. Nevertheless, these appearances weren’t due to a lack of interest from filmmakers, as various attempts have been made to reintroduce him as a principal antagonist—efforts that could finally flourish in the Monsterverse.

Toho’s Plans to Revive Hedorah

Yoshimitsu Banno, the visionary behind Hedorah and director of the original film, consistently harbored thoughts of resurrecting the character. The film’s concluding title card, “Yet Another One?”, served as a hint towards a sequel, Godzilla vs. Hedorah 2. However, Banno’s plans shifted focus to a new antagonist, Gierza, a starfish creature, when budget constraints arose. Ultimately, he recalibrated his concepts to incorporate Hedorah itself.

Delving deeper, Banno planned to create Hedorah’s Counterattack during the mid-1970s, envisioning a rematch on African soil. Unfortunately, this venture was sidelined when Toho appointed a different director—Ishiro Honda—for the subsequent Godzilla film, which culminated in Terror of Mechagodzilla, marking the last entry of the Showa era.

Years later, Banno reimagined Hedorah as a red variant named Deathla, aiming to feature it in Godzilla 3D: To The Max. However, funding issues hindered its realization. His fascination with Hedorah was reignited in 2014, as he expressed intentions of producing a $6 million kaiju film titled Hedorah vs. Midora, where Hedorah would interact with a green algae creature representing a benevolent contrast. This duality could have mirrored the relationship between Mothra and Battra in Godzilla vs. Mothra.

While Banno championed most moves to resurrect Hedorah, he wasn’t solely responsible. In Godzilla: Final Wars, a brief scene showcases Godzilla easily dispatching Hedorah and Ebirah. However, what was intended to be more than a fleeting cameo turned into a mere hint of Banno’s long-desired rematch due to script revisions.

The Case for Hedorah in the Monsterverse

Hedorah from 1971's Godzilla vs. Hedorah

As Toho has produced only two live-action Godzilla films since Final Wars, the prospects for Hedorah’s return seem dim. However, the character stands a much better chance of being integrated into the Monsterverse due to its thematic alignment with environmentalism—central to the narrative of Godzilla vs. Hedorah. This film serves as a cautionary tale about humanity’s pollution and its repercussions, with Hedorah as a direct consequence of mankind’s neglect.

This ecological message resonates with the Monsterverse’s ongoing themes. In Godzilla: King of the Monsters, for example, the terrorists Jonah and Emma’s misguided actions stem from the belief that human interference is ravaging the Earth. Their attempt to awaken Ghidorah in hopes of resetting civilization ultimately leads to chaos as Ghidorah’s plans threaten to terraform the world, leaving Godzilla once again to confront the fallout of human error.

Beyond thematic consistency, Hedorah would enrich the Monsterverse lore. The revelation of extraterrestrial Titans in Godzilla: King of the Monsters opens a door to include other alien creatures within its story. Hints at monarch’s awareness of other alien entities, as suggested in Godzilla vs. Kong with references to Roswell, further solidify this potential expansion.

Conceptualizing Hedorah’s Role in Godzilla x Kong’s Sequel

Enabling Hedorah’s Entry into the Hollow Earth

Hedorah best kong 2 villain can continue King of the monsters and Godzilla vs kong stories

The setting of Hollow Earth in the Monsterverse provides a unique platform for reimagining Godzilla vs. Hedorah’s narrative. While the original film depicted Hedorah as a threat to urban areas, the new sequel could reposition Hedorah as a contaminator within Kong’s subterranean realm. With humans having discovered several entrances to Hollow Earth, it opens avenues for Hedorah’s invasion, threatening to taint its pristine environments.

This scenario pits Kong against an invader, potentially necessitating an alliance with Godzilla for their shared survival. Hedorah’s near invulnerability could present a formidable challenge, requiring the human characters to accelerate their efforts to discover ways for Godzilla and Kong to overcome him—just as the original film did in uncovering Hedorah’s weaknesses.

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