Godzilla X Kong Sequel In Talks With First Returning Monsterverse Star

The upcoming sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is now eyeing one Monsterverse star to return. Development for the follow-up has been steadily gaining steam since May 2024 when it was revealed that Godzilla writer David Callaham would be returning to pen the script, though I Am Mother‘s Grant Sputore was tapped to take over the director’s chair from Adam Wingard due to scheduling conflicts. Most recently, it was also reported that The Last of Us‘ Kaitlyn Dever had joined the movie’s cast in an undisclosed role.

Now, The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that Dan Stevens is in talks to return for the Godzilla x Kong sequel. This comes after the star portrayed the fan-favorite character Trapper, who was introduced as the veterinarian in the 2024 installment, The New Empire. While details are still largely being kept under wraps, sources report that the movie will introduce “several new human characters” as they face a “cataclysmic world-ending threat” alongside the titular Titans.

What This Means For The Godzilla X Kong Follow-Up

The Monsterverse May Have Found Its Next Leading Star

While details are still largely under wraps for the next installment, the fact that Stevens is the first Monsterverse star to be entering official talks for the Godzilla x Kong sequel might indicate he’s meant to be the human face keeping the connective thread alive from previous installments. After Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Millie Bobby Brown had largely filled that role in Godzilla vs. Kong, though passed the torch on to Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry following their introductions in the Monsterverse crossover.

Given some of the previous movie explored Hall’s character worrying that Kaylee Hottle’s Jia would leave her due to her connection to Kong, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s ending saw Jia choosing to stay with Dr. Ilene Andrews, thus potentially bringing their story to a close. With the movie still in the early stages of development, there is still plenty of time for the two, Henry, and many others to be confirmed for the sequel.

Regardless of the plot reasons for his return, Stevens’ Trapper was generally considered the standout addition in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s cast. The Monsterverse has long been known for its struggles to add human characters just as compelling as the monster action, and while Trapper may not have come with a dramatic story, his comedic nature was still generally well-received by critics and audiences alike.

Our Take On Stevens’ Godzilla X Kong Sequel Return

His Monsterverse Return Could Bring Another Epic Set Piece

As delightfully goofy as the character was in The New Empire, Stevens’ return in the Godzilla x Kong sequel is far more exciting for the action possibility he brings with him. Kong’s exoskeleton glove was a major point of curiosity in the lead-up to the film’s release, and the movie ultimately revealed Trapper was the one who helped create the device. Should the next threat indeed be as big of a threat as Skar King, it will be interesting to see what machine Trapper creates next for the Titan.

Source: THR

Monsterverse

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The Monsterverse is a giant kaiju franchise that began in 2014 with Legendary’s Godzilla starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, and Elizabeth Olsen. The film was followed up by Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs Kong, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Cast

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Vera Farmiga, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Corey Hawkins, Tom Hiddleston, Jason Mitchell, Toby Kebbell, Tian Jing, John C. Reilly, Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Zhang Ziyi, Charles Dance, Alexander Skarsgard, Brian Tyree Henry, Julian Dennison, Kaylee Hottle, Rebecca Hall, Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Mari Yamamoto, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons

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