Kong’s upcoming return in theMonsterversecan finally help make up for the true sequel to 2017’sKong: Skull Islandthat never ended up happening. The giant ape was first introduced during his solo movie, before having a crossover with Godzilla inGodzilla vs. Kongin 2021. He was later a prominentcharacter inGodzilla x Kong: The New Empirein 2024, helping the reptilian Titan take down the Skar King. But his adventures are far from over, with aGodzilla x Kongsequelalready in development, slated for release on August 17, 2025.
These crossover sequels have done plenty to emphasize Kong’s character, often giving him the spotlight alongside a cast of human allies. By theend ofGodzilla x Kong,he’s become a king to other giant apes in the Hollow Earth, bringing Suko and Shimo back to help build a better life for his new people. This character arc takes place long after he’s left Skull Island, though, with some pieces of his backstory missing. However, one upcoming entry in the Monsterverse can better explore his story in ways aSkull Islandsequel should have.
Monsterverse’s Monarch Show Already Has The Perfect Setup For 1 Forgotten Kong Villain
The Monsterverse’s TV show Monarch: Legacy of Monsters already has the perfect setup for a forgotten Kong villain to make their debut in season 2.
Monarch Season 2 Can Expand Kong’s Story In A Way That The Movies Didn’t
Monarch Season 2 Takes Place Before Godzilla vs. Kong
Apple TV+’s Monsterverse seriesMonarch: Legacy of Monsterscould be the perfect way for Kong’s story to get expanded in ways the movies haven’t touched on before. At theend ofMonarchseason 1, Cate (Anna Sawai), May (Kiersey Clemons), and Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) escape the Hollow Earth, arriving in Skull Island in 2017, two years after Cate and May first got stuck. They are greeted by Kentaro (Ren Watabe), who is revealed to be working with Apex Cybernetics as they conduct research on the island.The very last scene of the finale shows Kongapproaching their research facility.
While the animatedSkull Islandseries ended on a cliffhanger, teasing a bigger storyline for Kong in the future, the franchise’s main pull has been its live-action projects.
WithMonarchseason 2 confirmed,the show can further expand on what happened to Kong between the events ofKong: Skull IslandandGodzilla vs. Kong. While some of these ideas were presented in the Netflix animated seriesSkull Island, the live-action movies and shows have yet to fully explore the decades between those two films. Given the many unknowns between Monarch encountering him in 1973 and his captivity on the island by the 2020s, the TV series has plenty to explore. Giving Kong the solo spotlight would also be very different from the Monsterverse’s usual approach to his character.
Kong Has Only Been In Team Up Movies Since We Met Him In Skull Island
Ever since his debut inKong: Skull Island,the Titan hasn’t had a solo outing within the Monsterverse’s live-action projects. While the animatedSkull Islandseries ended on a cliffhanger, teasing a bigger storyline for Kong in the future, the franchise’s main pull has been its live-action projects. Because of this, it’s surprising he hasn’t gotten any major solo features since 2017, especially given his prominence in the Monsterverse’s timeline and crossover movies. This makes his appearance inMonarchseason 2 unique, and ripe for further exploration of his backstory before his first encounter with Godzilla.
In addition,Monarch’s inclusion of Apex Cyberneticshas strong ties toGodzilla vs. Kong, with the company developing Mechagodzilla in the crossover movie. Not only can the Kong-focused season 2 elevate his backstory;it can also clarify the technology company’s wider role in the Monsterverse. This makes the episodes focusing on Kong even more important, as it can weave him into the wider franchise in new ways thanks to an expansive backstory. It can also be used to emphasize how well he works alone, despite his previous two crossovers.
Godzilla & Kong Are Great Together, But Kong Needs To Shine On His Own
Monarch Season 2 Can Give Kong More Central Character Development
While bothGodzilla vs. KongandGodzilla x Kongshowed how well the titular duo work together, there hasn’t been much of a chance for Kong to shine in his own story, removed from his Titan companion. This is whereMonarchseason 2 has a chance to shine,offering a storyline that’s more focused on Skull Islandand the decades he’s spent there since his solo movie. By digging deeper into his backstory, the TV series can carve out a new perspective on him in the Monsterverse overall, justifying the focus on him thanks to his overarching importance.
By focusingMonarchseason 2 on Kong, theMonsterversehas a chance to delve into his backstory through a unique lens, unhindered by the inclusion of other Titans. It can also offer deeper connections between him and Apex Technologies, potentially offering him larger importance to the franchise than ever before. With the TV series likely to return before the next movie, given season 2 is currently filming, it won’t be long until Kong’s biggest solo outing in almost a decade finally arrives.
In addition toMonarch: Legacy of Monstersseason 2, Apple TV+ confirmed multiple other Monsterverse TV spinoffs are in development.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Cast
The Legendary MonsterVerse continues with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a sci-fi action series created for Apple TV+. Set after the events of Godzilla vs. Kong, the series follows two siblings retracing their father’s footsteps to uncover the truth behind their family legacy. What they find sets up a story over three decades and explores the foundations of the mysterious company.
