After the release of 2021’sGodzilla vs. Kong, the future of Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse franchise remained uncertain for a while. But recently, it was confirmed that director Adam Wingard will be returning to helm the film’s sequel, currently scheduled for a March 2024 release.
The upcoming film will see returning actors Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry joined by newcomer Dan Stevens ofDownton AbbeyandLegionfame. Details about the story are sparse for now, but the synopsis confirms that the sequel will not only explore the history of the Titans, but feature Godzilla and Kong teaming up against a new monstrous enemy. While the identity ofthis mysterious new foeis still unknown, here are a few iconic kaiju from theGodzillafranchise that could very well make their MonsterVerse debut soon.
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Destoroyah
Destoroyah is a unique presence in theGodzillafranchise. Despite being one of the most well-known and beloved monsters in the series among fans, it’s only ever appeared in a single film. Debuting in 1995’sGodzilla vs. Destoroyah, this kaiju has the honor of being the only monster to not only defeat Godzilla, but permanently kill him — at least in one continuity. Similar to Godzilla himself, Destoroyah is a prehistoric creaturemutated by human weaponry.But while Godzilla was a reptile empowered by nuclear radiation, Destoroyah is a crustacean mutated by the Oxygen Destroyer: the very weapon used to kill Godzilla in the original 1954 film.
The originalGodzillatreats the Oxygen Destroyer with an appropriate amount of gravitas, with its creator Dr. Serizawa dreading what horrors the global superpowers could enact with such a weapon if it fell into their hands. As such, it’s grimly poetic that like the nuclear bomb tests that created Godzilla, the use of the Oxygen Destroyer ends up creating an even more dangerous creature. Equally fitting is the fact that Destoroyah, the living embodiment of the weapon that killed the first Godzilla, is the one to kill his successor. Vicious and bloodthirsty, Destoroyahis a nigh-demonic beingthat, true to its name, exists only to bring destruction.
Despite having only one film appearance under its belt, Destoroyah remains a fan favorite due to its striking design, cruel personality, close ties to the series’ lore, and prestigious status as the only kaiju to ever successfully kill Godzilla. As such, he makes perfect sense to appear in the MonsterVerse as a foe powerful enough to unite Godzilla and Kong once more. Plus, the Oxygen Destroyer was already used to nearly kill Godzilla in 2019’sGodzilla: King of the Monsters, providing the perfect setup for Destoroyah’s appearance. Since Mechagodzilla in the firstGodzilla vs. Kongwas likewisethe result of the falloutfromKing of the Monsters, it would be appropriate for the same to be true of the second film’s villain.
Biollante
Another fan favorite with only one prior film appearance, Biollante was Godzilla’s first Heisei-era kaiju rival in 1989’sGodzilla vs. Biollante. Created by a scientist longing to resurrect his dead daughter, Biollante is a freakish hybrid of human, plant, and Godzilla DNA. Much like her fellow female kaiju Mothra, Biollante isn’t malevolent despite her massive destructive power. She may look sinister, but she’s the good guy here, trying to protect humanity from Godzilla’s rampage due to her own human origins.
However, despite her heroic origins,adaptations such as video games or comicssometimes portray Biollante as an antagonistic force, like most of Godzilla’s other foes. It’s likely that a MonsterVerse incarnation of Biollante would give her a simplified origin, simply making her a plant-based Titan instead of a plant-human-Godzilla hybrid. And if she ends up appearing as an antagonist, she could very well be given a more villainous personality — though it’s also possible that she could appear as an ally to Godzilla instead.
Gigan
The scythe-handed sadist Gigan is unusual among Godzilla’s rogues’ gallery. While he’s one of the King of the Monsters’ more prominent foes, he always seems to be playing second fiddle to another kaiju.
Even in his debut film, the aptly-namedGodzilla vs. Giganfrom 1972, he’spartnered with Godzilla’s arch-nemesisKing Ghidorah as part of an alien invasion. And while Ghidorah is dead in the MonsterVerse — for now, anyway — it’s possible that Gigan could appear as the right-hand monster to the film’s main antagonist. After all, with Godzilla and Kong teaming up, it might take more than one kaiju to give them a challenge.
Megalon
Speaking of Gigan, special mention must be made to his partner in crime from 1973’sGodzilla vs. Megalon. This drill-armed insectoid is worshipped as a god by the subterranean civilization of Seatopia, but despite his deified status, he doesn’t seem to be all too bright — his personality is more akin to a troublemaking bruiserthan a vengeful god.
Megalon is beloved by fans less for his own merits and more for the campy, comical nature of his debut film, which was immortalized in a famous episode ofMystery Science Theater 3000. He’s the perfect kind of monster who could show up as a minor antagonist, much to the delight of any fans who recognize the bumbling bug-man.
Anguirus
Anguirus holds a special place in theGodzillafranchise as the King of the Monsters’ first-ever kaiju rival, making his debut in 1955’sGodzilla Raids Again. But once he reappeared in 1968’sDestroy All Monsters, Anguirus was forever cemented as Godzilla’s closest ally, bravely fighting alongside him against the likes of King Ghidorah, Gigan, and Mechagodzilla.
It’sa commonly-cited fan theorythat Anguirus’ skeleton is visible in one shot ofKing of the Monsters, but this has never been officially confirmed. As such, it’s still possible that Godzilla’s most steadfast friend could make an appearance in the MonsterVerse soon.
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