Godzilla: King of the Monsters

"Their reign begins."

- Tagline.

"Long live the king."

- Tagline seen on a SDCC exclusive poster.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters, also known by the working title of "Fathom", is an upcoming 2019 American science fiction monster film produced by , and the third entry in the MonsterVerse, following the 2017 MonsterVerse film, Kong: Skull Island.

King of the Monsters was originally set for release on June 8, 2018, before being delayed to March 22, 2019, only to be delayed once more and set for release to American theaters on May 31, 2019.

The film is being directed by Michael Dougherty, produced by Thomas Tull, Brian Rogers, Mary Parent, and Alex Garcia, and written by Max Borenstein, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields. The film continues where the 2014 film left off, and introduces Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah to the MonsterVerse.

A sequel to the film is set to follow on May 22, 2020, where Godzilla returns once more to fight King Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong.

​Synopsis
''The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.''

Development
Gareth Edwards stated that he wanted Godzilla to work as a standalone film with a definitive ending, and opposed suggestions that the ending should leave the film open for a sequel. While Edwards wasn't against the possibility of future sequels, his main concern was delivering a satisfying experience with the current film; "I want a story that begins and ends, and you leave on a high. That's all we cared about when we were making this; just this film. If this film is good, the others can come, but let’s just pay attention to this and not get sidetracked by other things."

On May 18, 2014, after Godzilla's successful opening weekend, a sequel was officially given the green light from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Edwards was confirmed to be directing the sequel but it was unknown if any of the previous cast would be returning. In a previous interview with Gareth Edwards, he said that if the film were to have a sequel that he would like to do a Destroy All Monsters-like film.

On July 26, 2014, the official Legendary Twitter announced that Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah would be appearing in the sequel or future installments.

A piece of "Classified Monarch Footage," a teaser for Godzilla 2, was shown at Comic-Con 2014. According to eye-witnesses, it looked like it was put together in the 1960s, with audio of John F. Kennedy talking about threats and dangers. Text comes on the screen saying that there was one more secret: "There were others." A pterodactyl-like shadow and "CODENAME: RODAN." An extreme close-up of a giant moth creature and "CODENAME: MOTHRA." Then a silhouette and quick cuts around a dragon-like shape figure and "CODENAME: GHIDORAH." Finally, "THREAT ASSESSMENT: CONFLICT INEVITABLE," followed by "LET THEM FIGHT.

On Thursday, August 14, 2014, a release date of June 8, 2018 was set for Godzilla 2. The four-year gap between Godzilla and Godzilla 2 was due in part to Gareth Edwards directing the film Star Wars: Rogue One and as a result being unavailable to begin work on Godzilla 2 until 2016.

On December 8, 2014, announced production of a new Japanese Godzilla film for 2016. Then, on August 18, 2016 Toho announced production of a another Japanese Godzilla film for 2017. Despite being released between Legendary's Godzilla films, the new films, Shin Godzilla and the 2017 anime, Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters will not be connected to Legendary's series, being a part of their own series, and will have no effect on the production of Godzilla 2.

On July 9, 2015, Legendary Pictures' spokesperson at Comic-Con, Barnaby Legg, told Dread Central that Legendary was aware of fans' complaints about Godzilla's lack of screentime in the 2014 film, and that the sequel would give fans "exactly what you're hoping for."

In an interview with Collider conducted in early August 2015, writer Max Borenstein revealed that he is currently writing the script for the film, and promised that the sequel would do "bigger and even better things" than the first film. Borenstein also expressed his excitement for the film, and enthusiasm for working with Gareth Edwards once again.

On October 14, 2015, Legendary Pictures officially announced production of a remake of King Kong vs. Godzilla titled Godzilla vs. Kong set for release in 2020. The film will follow both Godzilla 2 and Legendary's Kong: Skull Island.

On May 10, 2016, an article revealed that the release dates of both Godzilla 2 and Godzilla vs. Kong had been changed to March 22, 2019 and May 29, 2020 respectively. Only three days later, it was reported that Gareth Edwards had left the film in order to pursue other projects.

On October 20, 2016, after a few months after the loss of Gareth Edwards, an article revealed that Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields (the writers of Krampus) would be writing the script for Godzilla 2.

On December 14, 2016, the official title of the film was revealed. The film's title was announced to be Godzilla: King of the Monsters, however, it is not related to the 1956 film bearing a similar title.

On January 8, 2017, it was reported that Godzilla: King of the Monsters will film in Atlanta, Georgia as well. On January 17, 2017, it was reported that Thomas Tull (who founded Legendary Entertainment) resigned from the company but will remain as producer for Legendary's Godzilla and King Kong film series, which was revealed to be officially titled "MonsterVerse". On January 23, 2017, Michael Dougherty was officially confirmed as the director for the sequel.

On January 27, 2017, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Millie Bobby Brown is cast in a role.

On February 21, 2017, it is reported that Kyle Chandler is cast in the role of Millie Bobby Brown's father.

On February 27, 2017, it is reported that Vera Farmiga is cast in the role of Millie Bobby Brown's mother.

On March 27, 2017, it is reported that O’Shea Jackson Jr. was confirmed for a key role in the film.

It was revealed that Aisha Hinds had joined the cast on April 18, 2017.

On May 1, 2017, Anthony Ramos was cast in a role.

On May 18, 2017, Charles Dance joined the cast, while Sally Hawkins will reprise her role as Vivienne Graham.

On May 26, 2017, Randell Havens had joined the cast of the film.

On May 31, 2017, Thomas Middleditch had joined the cast of the film.

On June 2, director Michael Dougherty tweeted out that Godzilla "is evolution in the flesh" in response to a user asking if the classic monster would receive a redesign for the sequel. That same day, it was reported that Bradley Whitford had joined the cast of the film.

On June 8, 2017, Zhang Ziyi is cast in a significant figure within the covert Monarch organization established in Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla, and she’ll no doubt appear in further entries in this cinematic universe.

On June 18, Collider engaged in an interview with Sally Hawkins about returning for the sequel. Hawkins expressed how it was nice to be asked back to play a part in the film, and spoke on how Dougherty seems smart and excited about the film. She also spoke on how she didn't know if she'd make the final cut for the film.

June 19 marked the date of the beginning of principle photography. With that came a press release for the film which provided a new synopsis for the film, as well as an updated cast list, which officially confirms Ken Watanabe's presence in the film. Principle photography is to take place primarily in Atlanta, Georgia.

It was also on this day that the film's working title of Fathom was revealed, as per director Michael Dougherty's Twitter.

Additionally, in an interview with IGN at Comic-Con, Michael Dougherty confirmed there will be more than four monsters in the movie.

Trivia

 * The five year period between the release date of Godzilla in 2014 and this film is the longest gap between the release of the first and second films in a new series of Godzilla films, with the five-year gap between the releases of The Return of Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Biollante to start the Heisei era being a close second.