Upcoming Godzilla Film Features Prominent The Last of Us Actor

Overview

The success of the Monsterverse franchise has paved the way for a sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
The upcoming sequel has secured its first major cast member as it enhances its lineup of human characters.
Uncertainty looms around the potential return of cast members from earlier Monsterverse films.

The Monsterverse has achieved remarkable success, primarily driven by its thrilling monster showdowns in the Godzilla and Kong saga. Fans can look forward to the franchise’s next chapter, where an esteemed actor from HBO’s acclaimed series The Last of Us is set to join the cast.

Launched in 2014 with Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla, Legendary Pictures’ Monsterverse soon introduced King Kong with the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island. The epic showdown in Godzilla vs Kong in 2021 further solidified the franchise’s popularity. The latest installment, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, garnered over $570 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing film in the Monsterverse series. Given these impressive numbers, a sequel was always on the horizon. Currently, preparations are underway, with David Callaham set to pen the script and Grant Sputore, a fresh face within the franchise, assigned to direct.

New Star Joins the Monsterverse

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As the production of the Godzilla x Kong sequel commences, Deadline reports that Kaitlyn Dever is in talks to join the film. This marks a significant move as the sequel aims to enhance its human character dynamic to complement the colossal titular monsters. Dever, renowned for her roles in Booksmart and Dopesick, is set to appear as Abby in the upcoming second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, expected in 2025.

Will Any Previous Cast Members Return?

With Dever joining the ranks, the casting landscape of the Monsterverse films has certainly been star-studded, featuring talents like Millie Bobby Brown, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, and Tom Hiddleston, among others. The prior installment, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, featured exceptional performances from Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens, and Brian Tyree Henry, but the status of their potential return remains uncertain. Hall herself recently mentioned to Screen Rant at the Sundance Film Festival that she hasn’t received any inquiries about reprising her role, suggesting she might not be involved in the forthcoming sequel.

The last chapter detailed the alliance between Godzilla and Kong against the threats from Hollow Earth, including formidable adversaries like Tiamut and the Skar King. Following their victory, Godzilla returned to his terrestrial domain while Kong assumed leadership of the Hollow Earth ape tribe. The direction in which the Monsterverse plans to take the narrative next is still under wraps, but plenty of legendary titans remain to be showcased. Noteworthy, the only concrete detail regarding the sequel is its slated release date of March 26, 2027.

In addition to the new Godzilla x Kong film, the Monsterverse will extend its universe with a second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which delves into the origins of the Monarch organization tasked with monitoring and studying these titanic creatures.

The untitled sequel, Godzilla x Kong, is set to premiere on March 26, 2027.

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