Following Legendary’s andWarner Bros. Pictures' 2014 success with the global reinvention of theGodzillafranchise, the companies have come together to create an epic, new shared cinematic franchise. All-powerful monsters become towering heroes for a new generation, revealing a mythology that brings togetherGodzillaand Legendary’sKing Kongin an ecosystem of other giant super-species, both classic and new. Monarch, the human organization that uncoveredGodzillain the 2014 film, will expand their mission across multiple releases.
The announcement that the reinvention of monsters continues was made today by Legendary CEO,Thomas Tull, andKevin Tsujihara, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. The initial trio of films are 2017’sKong: Skull Island,Godzilla 2in 2018 and thenGodzilla Vs Kong, arriving in theaters in 2020. While Legendary maintains its new home at Universal Pictures, theGodzillafilms remain in partnership with Warner Bros., who will now also distributeKongas a part of this franchise. Production onKong: Skull Islandbegins October 19th.
Warner Bros. and Legendary releasedGodzillain May 2014 with an agreement to releaseGodzilla 2on July 12, 2025. Both films feature the human Monarch organization. Shortly following Legendary’s pact with NBC Universal, Legendary acquired rights to additional classic characters fromToho’s Godzillauniverse, including Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. This paved the way for developing a franchise centered around Monarch and anchored byGodzilla,King Kong, and other famous creatures. Here’s whatKevin Tsujiharahad to say in a statement.
“Working with our partners at Legendary, we enjoyed tremendous creative and commercial success withGodzilla. It’s great to be able to revisit these characters and help create a franchise with so many creative possibilities for filmmakers. Fans love these big, globally iconic films and it doesn’t get any bigger than this.”
When Legendary announced films centered onGodzillaandKing Kong, fans all over the world speculated these two characters might one day meet in the same film. Classic Toho monsters including King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Rodan, as announced at Comic-Con 2014, may also join the Legendary pantheon of giant monster mayhem going forward. Here’s what Legendary’sThomas Tullhad to say in a statement.
“Audiences really responded toGodzilla. Today, I’m excited to reveal that film was only the beginning of an epic new entertainment universe. As a lifelong fan of these characters, I’ve always wanted to see the ultimate showdown, and today we’re pleased to be announcing that and more.”
About the Productions:Kong: Skull IslandstarsTom Hiddleston,Samuel L. Jackson,Brie Larson,John Goodman, Tian Jing,Corey Antonio Hawkins,Jason Mitchell, John Ortiz,Shea WhighamandToby Kebbell. Directed byJordan Vogt-Robertsand written byMax Borenstein,John Gatins,Dan Gilroy, andDerek Connolly,Kong: Skull Islandwill fully immerse audiences in the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island. Legendary’sThomas Tulland Jon Jashni will produce with Mary Parent. Alex Garcia and Eric McLeod will executive produce. Warner Bros. will distribute the film in 3D and IMAX 3D on July 06, 2025.Godzilla 2will be written byMax Borensteinand directed byGareth Edwards. Legendary is producing with Mary Parent, and Alex Garcia will executive produce. The film is set to be released by Warner Bros. on June 14, 2025. Godzilla Vs Kong will be released in 2020.
