The Overlooked Monster That Allied With Godzilla and Battled King Kong in Only One Year

Gorosaurus is not one of the best-known kaiju in Toho’s extensive catalog, yet this unique monster has a fascinating history interwoven with iconic titans like Godzilla and King Kong. The recent releases in the Monsterverse have rekindled interest in these legendary characters, especially following the events of 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong. However, before this cinematic crossover, Godzilla and King Kong had only faced off once before, during their initial clash in 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla. After a gap of nearly six decades, audiences witnessed their long-awaited rematch, leaving the two titans in a state of thrilling connectivity.

This new dynamic has paved the way for Kong to encounter various creatures from Godzilla’s mythos that had previously remained out of reach. Notably, in Godzilla vs. Kong, he battled Mechagodzilla and was aided by Mothra in the film’s climactic moments. Interestingly, another monster from Godzilla’s realm, Gorosaurus, actually crossed paths with Kong way back in 1967.

Gorosaurus: A Dual Role as Both Villain and Ally

Gorosaurus’s Appearances in King Kong Escapes and Destroy All Monsters

When Toho obtained the rights to King Kong for their crossover with Godzilla, the studio had more in mind than just a single biopic. With the licensing secured for a five-year term, Toho decided to craft a solo project featuring their interpretation of King Kong, leading to the creation of King Kong Escapes. One of the film’s main antagonists was Mechani-Kong, a robotic variant of King Kong, but Toho also included Gorosaurus as a secondary villain.

In King Kong Escapes, Gorosaurus, modeled after an allosaurus, challenged King Kong on Mondo Island, fulfilling a role typical for many of Kong’s foes in previous films. Although he put up a fight, Gorosaurus ultimately fell to Kong, the more dominant predator. Of note, Gorosaurus is recognized for his powerful kangaroo kick, a signature attack he effectively unleashed against King Kong as well as King Ghidorah.

Contrary to his earlier defeat, Gorosaurus returned in Destroy All Monsters, a monumental celebration uniting Toho’s extensive roster of kaiju. Though a minor character at best, his memorable suit and recent popularity led to his reappearance. This time, Gorosaurus was no longer the villain; he instead inhabited Monster Island, where he fought alongside Godzilla and other kaiju against the formidable King Ghidorah.

A Nearly Realized Reunion: King Kong and Gorosaurus

The Unfulfilled Potential of a King Kong and Gorosaurus Team-Up

The events of Destroy All Monsters served as a redemption arc for Gorosaurus, allowing him to reverse the humiliation from his earlier defeat by delivering significant damage to King Ghidorah. However, despite his newfound status, the connection to King Kong was left unfulfilled as they were barred from crossing over again until they finally reunited in modern films.

Interestingly, initial drafts for Destroy All Monsters did suggest the inclusion of King Kong, yet this idea was ultimately scrapped. John LeMay, in his book The Big Book of Giant Japanese Monster Movies: The Lost Films, notes that the planning stages experienced delays. Since the film was set for release in 1968, including Kong would have necessitated a renewal of his licensing agreement with Toho.

It’s plausible that had Kong appeared, he would have joined forces with Gorosaurus instead of remaining adversarial. Such a partnership would reflect the established trend seen in the film, where previous enemies transformed into allies without much narrative justification.

The Possibility of Gorosaurus’s Return in the Monsterverse

Gorosaurus: A Potential New Dinosaur Titan

While the collaboration between Gorosaurus and King Kong almost materialized in Destroy All Monsters, there is still hope that this meeting could transpire in the future. The Monsterverse has successfully introduced various Toho kaiju to its cinematic universe, and although Gorosaurus may not be deemed a top-tier priority, his inclusion is certainly plausible. Notably, his dinosaur origins would provide the Monsterverse with a distinct character lacking in representation thus far.

As a giant dinosaur, Gorosaurus would naturally fit within the richly populated Titan ecosystem of the Monsterverse. He could be introduced as a residing member of the Hollow Earth, potentially emerging as a formidable adversary for Kong. This storyline could echo their previous confrontation on Mondo Island.

Alternatively, Gorosaurus could join the ranks of benevolent Titans in the Monsterverse, honoring the heroism he exhibited in Destroy All Monsters. There lies a future possibility of crafting a plot similar to Destroy All Monsters, leveraging the growing narrative of ancient Titan wars. Should this occur, it would open doors for Gorosaurus to ally with Godzilla and Kong, potentially alongside the likes of Mothra and Rodan, thus fulfilling Gorosaurus’s legacy and enhancing the Monsterverse’s epic scope.

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