Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire director Adam Wingard confirms a major Mothra theory. After the success of Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021, Wingard returned to helm the outing for the two eponymous monsters, this time following them as they take on the villainous Skar King. As Godzilla and Kong find themselves outmatched by the combined power of Shimo and Skar King, they turn to Mothra for help, but the inclusion of this iconic monster left some confused after the creature’s death in 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

In the new art book, The Art of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (via ComicBook.com), Wingard confirms a popular theory that the Mothra in Godzilla x Kong isn’t the same Mothra featured in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The director also comments on how a different version of the character ended up on the surface world in the 2019 movie. Check out Wingard’s full comment below:

“This is essentially Mothra’s mother. The eggs that were laid on the surface were laid by The New Empire’s version of Mothra and this film establishes that she is the protector of the pathways to the surface which are vortexes. And so, theoretically, this Titan has access to these vortexes and laid eggs on the surface, which is what we saw in King of The Monsters. She is the original one.”

Could Mothra Return Again In The Monsterverse?

Where The Franchise Goes After Godzilla x Kong

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s reviews were mixed from critics, but the film was a big hit with audiences. The movie currently sports a lackluster critics’ score of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience score is far higher at 91%. The movie’s success with audiences is reflected in its box office performance, with Wingard’s film having now earned an impressive $567.5 million worldwide on a budget estimated to be about $135 million.

Clearly, there’s interest in seeing the franchise continue, and the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire ending certainly leaves the door open for this possibility. After Jia (Kaylee Hottle) revives Mothra to aid Godzilla and Kong, the iconic monster remains alive when the end credits roll. The last audience see of Mothra is her restoring the protective barriers around the home of the Iwi tribe and the portals to the surface world.

It’s now been confirmed that Wingard will not return for the Godzilla x Kong follow-up. This untitled sequel already has a writer with Dave Callaham, but no director is attached just yet. With the next movie after Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire being so early in development, it’s not clear what the story will be and whether Mothra will have a place in it. The monster remaining alive, however, means there’s a good chance audiences will see the iconic Titan once more.

Source: The Art of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (via ComicBook.com)