A handful of MonsterVerse characters – which includes both humans and Titans – are confirmed to return in the next film in the franchise, Godzilla vs. Kong alongside a host of new characters. So far, the number of returning Titans in the film haven’t been announced yet, such as Rodan, who unlike Mothra and King Ghidorah, wasn’t killed at the end of Godzilla: King of the Monsters. That wasn’t confirmed by the first Godzilla vs Kong trailer, however, but it did offer first looks at lots of new characters and two new Titans.
In 2015, the movie was given a May 29, 2020 release date, and was eventually moved forward to March 13 of the same year and then November 20 before it was moved to HBO Max and a March release. The first delay is believed to have been the result of Godzilla: King of the Monsters‘ lack of success, and Legendary and Warner Bros.’ intent on making sure that Godzilla vs. Kong didn’t share in its struggles at the box office and then everything changed with the pandemic closing cinemas. Considering that Godzilla vs. Kong features a colossal battle between two pop culture icons that haven’t clashed onscreen in over 50 years, the studio understandably has high expectations for the upcoming crossover movie, even without a theatrical release.
Directed by Adam Wingard, Godzilla vs. Kong will see the two Titans clash in a “spectacular battle for the ages” while Monarch is busy investigating the origin of the Titans. The movie boasts a mostly original cast, with True Blood star Alexander Skarsgard taking the lead role as a geologist. Also appearing in the movie are Brian Tyree Henry (Eternals), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), Demián Bichir (The Nun), Eiza González (Baby Driver), Lance Reddick (John Wick), and more. (In fact, this is Reddick’s second Godzilla movie after first appearing in 1998’s Godzilla film.) Here are the established characters from previous MonsterVerse movies who are returning for Godzilla vs. Kong as well as the new incoming characters.
Godzilla
The new film will mark Godzilla’s third appearance in the MonsterVerse. In 2014’s Godzilla, Godzilla emerged as the “alpha predator” on a mission to hunt down the M.U.T.O.s, seemingly in an effort to preserve balance. The titular Titan returned in Godzilla: King of the Monsters for a dramatic showdown with his ancient rival and longtime Toho antagonist, King Ghidorah. After three brutal battles and heroic sacrifices from both Dr. Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and Mothra, Godzilla entered into his burning form and finally put an end to King Ghidorah. Godzilla’s victory over the three-headed monster earned him the respect of the remaining Titans, who have now accepted Godzilla as the King of the Monsters. If needed, these Titans will presumably be at their king’s beck and call in Godzilla vs. Kong.
Kong
It’s been nearly fifty years since King Kong encountered a group of humans and battled the Skullcrawlers in Kong: Skull Island. The actions of humans caused the Skullcrawlers to emerge from the Hollow Earth tunnels beneath Skull Island, forcing Kong to make a stand against them. Afterward, a Monarch outpost was built on Skull Island, which now monitors Kong. He was referenced numerous times in King of the Monsters, but Kong didn’t answer Ghidorah’s call. When Ghidorah summoned all the Titans, Kong ignored the call simply because he didn’t regard Ghidorah as the true alpha. This may mean that he won’t accept Godzilla as the alpha either. It could be that when the two finally meet, Kong will challenge Godzilla for the role of the alpha Titan.
In Kong: Skull Island, Kong is about a third of Godzilla’s size, but it’s been stated that, since Kong was just an adolescent in the movie, he wasn’t done growing. Brief footage from Godzilla vs. Kong has confirmed a massive size upgrade that puts Kong on Godzilla’s level. How this will affect Kong’s biggest fundamental difference from Godzilla remains unclear. Kong movies generally show the giant ape forming a connection with a human character. In Skull Island, it was Brie Larson’s Mason Weaver. In Godzilla vs. Kong, it’s possible that this person will be Skarsgard’s character, since he reportedly interacts with Kong in some way.
Mark Russell
Kyle Chandler’s Mark Russell was the human protagonist of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, but for this film, Skarsgard has top-billing instead. Where Mark fits into King of the Monsters hasn’t been disclosed, but his presence in the movie suggests that he has renewed his ties to Monarch. In King of the Monsters, Mark – the inventor of the Orca – turned his back on his work but was forced to team up with Monarch when his wife and daughter used the Orca to wake up the Titans. Mark’s expertise when it comes to the Orca and his knowledge of the Titans and their behaviors may be of use to Monarch when they wade into the conflict between Godzilla and Kong and investigate the long-forgotten history of the Titans.
Madison Russell (& Josh Valentine)
In King of the Monsters, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown portrayed Madison Russell, the daughter of Mark and Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga). After initially siding with Emma out of loyalty to her mother, Madison ultimately betrayed her and the eco-terrorists who were led by Alan Jonah (Charles Dance). According to Brown, what side she’ll end up on in Godzilla vs. Kong, whether it be Godzilla’s or Kong’s, will be part of her character’s journey in the movie (via YouTube). She’s joined on what is presumably her quest to uncover the truth of the Godzilla attacks by Julian Dennison’s Josh Valentine. What little is established of him in the trailer suggests the pair are close.
The Chen Sisters
Zhang Ziyi plays the dual roles of Dr. Ilene Chen and Dr. Ling in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, though Dr. Ling is only present in one scene. Dr. Chen, however, is an important character who works at Monarch and is actively involved in their mission to avert the crisis put into motion by the eco-terrorists. It’s revealed in the movie that she and her twin sister serve as a contemporary reimagining of the Twin Fairies from the classic Toho films. Traditionally, the Twin Fairies are a pair of tiny women with a telepathic connection to Mothra. The Twin Fairies are usually present whenever Mothra is born, which is why it was fitting that Dr. Ling was standing nearby when Mothra emerged from her cocoon in King of the Monsters. The fact that Zhang Ziyi is one of only three actors coming back for King of the Monsters could provide evidence for Mothra’s return in Godzilla vs. Kong. If Godzilla vs. Kong wants to use Mothra again, the movie could draw upon the sisters’ connection to the Titan.
Nathan Lind
Played by Alexander Skarsgård, Nathan Lind is a geologist who is described as an atypical alpha male character. In the first trailer, he’s the one who identifies that humanity needs Kong, so it’s likely he’s involved in Monarch’s attempts to use Kong to restore order.
Maya Simmons
Played by Eiza Gonzalez, Maya Simmons is revealed very briefly in the first trailer, in a helicopter overseeing Kong’s transit on the Monarch ship. So far, the only information on her calls her a “very smart woman behind a company” suggesting she’s a power player with Monarch. She’s also being described as “slightly comedic”.
Ilene Andrews & Jia
Rebecca Hall’s newcomer Ilene Andrews is linked to Kong and appears to be an expert not only on Skull Island’s resident monster but also on the history of the Titans in general. Most intriguingly, she’s also the guardian of Jia, a young girl with a special link with Kong who is the only person he will communicate with. She’s played by Kaylee Hottle and is arguably the most important new character of all.
Ren Serizawa
The previously unrevealed son of Ken Watanabe’s Dr. Ishiro Serizawa (or at least another relative), Ren appears to be linked to the mysterious Mechagodzilla plans, judging by the graphic behind him in the trailer. Has he turned on Titans because of Ishiro’s obsession?
Walter Simmons
Played by Demián Bichir, Walter Simmons is another character linked to the key human organizations and is presumably Maya’s father.
Bernie Hayes
Though there’s very little on his character so far, Bernie Hayes is played by Brian Tyree Henry and joins Millie Bobby Brown and Julian Dennison’s characters on their quest to uncover the truth about Godzilla. He seems to be an insider of some sort, which suggests he’s the key to unveiling Mechagodzilla to Madison and Josh.
Nozuki & Warbat
The newest additions to the Monsterverse’s cast of monsters, Nozuki and Warbat are shown in the trailer attacking Kong on Skull Island. Whether it’s in the present or during the Titan War remains unconfirmed for now.
Key Release Dates
Godzilla Vs Kong
Release Date:2021-03-31
