Warning: Spoilers for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

A key development in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire brings Legendary a step closer to Monsterverse versions of two classic Godzilla allies. So far, all but one of Godzilla’s Monsterverse movies – the 2014 film – have featured an additional property from Toho’s extensive kaiju library. That track record is a positive sign that familiar faces from Godzilla’s Toho films will continue sharing the screen with the King of the Monsters.

While much of the discussion concerning which Toho kaiju will be the next to appear in a Godzilla movie revolves around villains like Destoroyah and Gigan, it’s important to note that Legendary might also be eyeing some of Godzilla’s fellow kaiju heroes as well. Similar to how Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla x Kong put Mothra on Godzilla’s side, the Godzilla x Kong sequel could see him join forces with an old ally. Because even though he seems to have formed an alliance with Kong, the next threat could still be bigger than the two of them.

Monarch Is Closer To Building Their Own Mecha-Titan In The Monsterverse

As confirmed by the Godzilla x Kong novelization, Monarch came into possession of Mechagodzilla’s body following his defeat in Godzilla vs. Kong’s ending. Apparently, having Mechagodzilla’s parts is what helped Monarch’s science team build the B.E.A.S.T. Glove prototype. According to Dr. Ilene Andrews, this was the focus of their research on Mechagodzilla’s tech, not the construction of “another robot.” But while she was adamant about this to Bernie, that’s not to say Monarch won’t take that direction in the future. Thereotically, Monarch can work on their own mecha-Titan, a task they seemingly struggled with in the past.

An article in the Godzilla: King of the Monsters credits curiously mentioned that Monarch had once tried to build a “mechanized giant” on Skull Island. However, there’s been no updates on this, and any project they had in development on Skull Island obviously would have been abandoned on account the storm that decimated the island. With that in mind, it’s fair to say that Monarch’s “mechanized giant” operation either wasn’t a success or is no longer a viable option for combating Titan threats. But now that they have Mechagodzilla’s parts, they can revive those ideas and make sure they reach fruition in a future Monsterverse installment.

Of course, it shouldn’t be overlooked that, per Dr. Andrews’ comments, Monarch hasn’t worked on a mecha-Titan project since Godzilla vs. Kong, despite having the means to try. However, their lack of interest in this idea could easily change after Godzilla x Kong’s ending. Dr. Andrews mentioned that Monarch shut down the B.E.A.S.T. Glove project because they didn’t think strengthening an already-powerful Titan was a good move. This, and the other benefits of Titan-related tech, could be reevaluated after Monarch’s higher-ups consider the usefulness of the B.E.A.S.T. Glove in Kong’s rematch with Godzilla and his battle with Skar King.

The Monsterverse Already Has 2 Great Candidates For A Monarch-Controlled Mecha-Titan

Having this technology at their fingertips is a crucial building block for the Monsterverse, because it puts them in a position to follow in the footsteps of APEX and perhaps create their own mecha-Titan, one that could also be based on an existing character in Godzilla’s universe. The franchise boasts three giant-sized robots, Mechagodzilla included. The other two – Jet Jaguar and Mogeura – have reputations as heroes, making them prime candidates to serve as potential weapons of Monarch.

Introduced in The Mysterians before being officially added to the Godzilla franchise in 1994’s Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, Moguera was a robot with drills for hands and a jetpack that enabled him to fly. In Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, it was established that Moguera was built from the wreckage of Mechagodzilla, who had been destroyed in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II. Intending to use Moguera as a Mechagodzilla replacement, the Japanese government hoped Mogeura would beat Godzilla, but ultimately he ended up helping Godzilla take down SpaceGodzilla instead.

Having already been utilized as a successor to Mechagodzilla and a weapon built to defend humanity, it would make a lot of sense for Moguera to be the robot that’s created from Mechagodzilla’s leftovers in the Monsterverse. That said, he doesn’t have as much name recognition as another robot associated with Godzilla – Jet Jaguar. Making his first and only big screen appearance in Godzilla vs. Megalon. The Ultraman-inspired robot enjoyed a key role in a memorable two-on-two showdown where he helped Godzilla defeat Megalon and Gigan. Most notably, Jet Jaguar was arguably the real hero of Godzilla vs. Megalon, with Godzilla getting significantly less attention in the story.

Toho’s movies never revisited Jet Jaguar, but current trends in the Monsterverse suggest that despite the campiness of Godzilla vs. Megalon and Jet Jaguar specifically, the robot could have a place in the Monsterverse. Through movies like Godzilla x Kong, the Monsterverse has taken heavy inspiration from the Showa era, which is the period of Godzilla’s history that Jet Jaguar represents. As long as the Monsterverse feels like a Hollywood take on the Showa era, Jet Jaguar will continue to come across as a suitable option for its world.

How Jet Jaguar (Or Moguera) Could Be Fit Into Godzilla vs. Kong 3

Monarch having a mecha-Titan like Jet Jaguar or Moguera at their disposal could be one of the ways in which Godzilla x Kong’s sequel stands apart from its predecessor. Since the next movie is likely to be the third film in a row to end on a Godzilla-Kong team-up, it stands to reason that much like what it did with Godzilla x Kong, the Monsterverse will look for a way to up the ante again. The most obvious way to do that is to pit them against an even bigger force of Monsterverse villains, but such a strategy would also call for new allies to join Godzilla, Kong, Mothra, and Shimo, especially since they were all present for the last fight.

Not only would the addition of Moguera or Jet Jaguar bulk up the roster of heroic Titans on hand for Godzilla vs Kong 3’s ending, but either one would act as an appropriate evolution of Monarch’s role in the franchise. For years, they’ve tried to help with the fighting. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was another step in that direction, given that the B.E.A.S.T. Glove was a weapon of their creation. Piloting an actual Titan-sized weapon that can throw punches at the villains and fight beside Godzilla and Kong would be the perfect culmination of their journey in the Monsterverse.