Last month, Warner Bros. released the epic blockbusterKong: Skull Island, which not only explored the home island of the iconicKing Kong, but also set up an expanded universe that connects to the studio’s 2014 hitGodzilla. WhileMichael Doughertyhas come aboard to directGodzilla: King of Monsters(July 15, 2025), the follow-upGodzilla vs. Kong(July 12, 2025) doesn’t have a director, but it seems thatKong: Skull IslanddirectorJordan Vogt-Robertsis not interested in making another monster movie.
WhenKong: Skull Islandopened last month, it was a hit with critics, with a 77% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and with fans alike, earning $163.9 million domestically and $559 million worldwide from an $185 million budget. During a chat withScreen Junkies News, directorJordan Vogt-Robertswas asked if he would like to take the helm for the follow-upGodzilla vs. Kong, but the filmmaker stated that he was done with monster movies. Here’s what the director had to say, while praising the studio for letting him make the movie he wanted to make in what has become known as the MonsterVerse.
“I think I’m done with giant monsters for a little bit. Look, I’m really proud of this world, and I’m super proud of, I think in general, and this is out there too, the response being ‘Why do we need a newKong movie?’ and that was my response. I’m really proud of how weird this movie is and how much people embraced that stuff and actually called out how strange the movie is, and I wanted it to have a voice. I’m so proud of what we did and how I think it is very non-traditional blockbuster in 2017 and I’m so proud of what Legendary and Warner Bros. and those guys allowed me to do and the collaboration we had, but I definitely don’t think I gotKong vs Godzillain me. You never say never, I’m so proud of the Kong we made and the vibe of him and the energy of him and the vibe of the creatures on the island and everything, but yeah it would be tough for me right now.”
Jordan Vogt-Robertssigned on to direct in 2014, fresh off his feature directorial debut, the 2013 indie hitKings of Summer, following a path that many indie filmmakers before him had, such asColin Trevorrow, who went from the low-budgetSafety Not GuaranteedtoJurassic WorldandGareth Edwards, who parlayed his indie hitMonstersinto directing the 2014 blockbusterGodzilla. Warner Bros. and Legendary have already set up aGodzilla and King Kong writers room, and when asked if he’s stepping away because it’s challenging to make a film in such a big universe, the filmmaker had this to say.
“I was very loud, and probably very annoying, about saying, halfway through these (shared universe) movies, there’s a 15-minute departure, trying to set up a movie that comes out in four years. It’s just such a bummer to me. I was very loud about saying, this is not just about this franchise and this universe, we’re playing with King Kong. King Kong is film history. There are a bunch of people who will show up to this movie that have no interest inGodzilla vs. Kong, have never seenGodzilla, and Kong is film history. Yeah, there is a ton of stuff in the movie that sets up the worlds and merges them, but I am proud and very thankful to the studios that they let us try to make something as self-contained as possible.”
Aside fromGodzilla: King of MonstersandGodzilla vs. Kong, no future movies have been confirmed yet, but with a writers room already set up, there will most likely be more movies on the horizon afterGodzilla vs. Konghits theaters in 2020.Michael DoughertyandZach Shields(Krampus) are both writingGodzilla: King of Monsters, withMichael Doughertydirecting and both writers leading the writers room. While we wait for more onGodzilla: King of MonstersandGodzilla vs. Kong, take a look atKong: Skull IslanddirectorJordan Vogt-Roberts' interview below, with theGodzilla vs. Kongtalk coming at the 18:06 mark.
