Godzilla: King of the Monsters

"Their reign begins."

- Tagline.

"Long live the king."

- Alternate tagline seen on a SDCC exclusive poster.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters, also known by the working title of "Fathom", is a 2019 American science fiction monster film produced by. It's the third entry in the MonsterVerse, following the 2017 MonsterVerse film, Kong: Skull Island, and the sequel to the 2014 MonsterVerse film, Godzilla.

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 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 March 11th, 2020, where Godzilla returns once more to fight King Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong.

​Synopsis
''This 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 monster 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.''

Plot
Paleobiologist Dr. Emma Russell works for the crypto-zoological organization Monarch to track down and study the Titans, giant God-like monsters that once dominated Earth. Emma and her teenage daughter Madison travel to an excavation site where they witness the birth of a giant larva moth named Mothra. Madison grows attached to Mothra while Emma calms the creature using the "ORCA", a sonar device that is capable of emitting frequencies that only Mothra and other Titans can hear.

Mothra becomes docile, until an eco-terrorist group, led by former army colonel Alan Jonah, raid the site, kidnapping both Emma and Madison. Mothra manages to escape and cocoon itself underneath a waterfall miles away from the site.

Meanwhile, Monarch's scientists and soldiers led by Dr. Ishiro Serizawa and his assistant Vivienne Graham approach Emma's estranged husband, Mark, to help rescue Emma and Madison. Though Mark is bitter about working with Monarch since his son's death during the Attack on San Francisco, he reluctantly joins the team.

Monarch and a newly-awakened Godzilla travel to Antarctica where the team realizes Jonah's intentions to free a Titan encased in ice called "Monster Zero". Once there, Jonah's team ambushes the Monarch soldiers. Mark finds Emma and Madison, but Madison refuses to leave, and Emma frees and awakens the Titan herself before leaving with Jonah's men. Monster Zero begins rampaging until Godzilla emerges through the ice. The two Alphas fight, and Graham is killed in the mayhem. Godzilla drives Monster Zero off, and he flies away, leaving the Monarch team to regroup.

Monarch finds out that Jonah's next target is Isla de Mara, Mexico. They are contacted by Emma, who reveals that she intends to free the Titans to cull the human population and restore balance to the world. Unable to reason with her, Monarch focuses on evacuating the city, but before the evacuation is complete, Jonah orders Emma to use the ORCA to wake up Rodan, a Pteranodon-like Titan. After Rodan escapes from its containment chamber, the Monarch team uses their air squadron to lure Rodan to fight the approaching Monster Zero, who defeats Rodan.

After Rodan is beaten, Monster Zero targets the Monarch warjet, but Godzilla emerges from the ocean and engages Monster Zero, successfully tearing off one of its heads. In the midst of the battle, the military launches a missile known as the Oxygen Destroyer towards them, seemingly killing Godzilla, who sinks into the ocean. Monster Zero survives the missile unscathed and regenerates its missing head, and a recovered Rodan acknowledges the new Alpha.

Monster Zero lets loose a roar which awakens all the dormant Titans, leading to several cities being destroyed in their wake. In the wake of the apocalypse, Monarch realizes through Dr. Chen's reading of mythological texts that Monster Zero is Ghidorah, an ancient alien Titan who serves as Godzilla's primary rival for apex predator.

Meanwhile, Mothra emerges from her cocoon underneath the waterfall and flies to a facility in the Bermuda Triangle where it is able to communicate with Godzilla, who had survived the detonation and is recuperating underwater. Monarch uses the communication frequency to locate Godzilla. Deciding to use a nuclear warhead to revitalize Godzilla, Mark, Serizawa, and a Monarch team board a submarine. A vortex pulls the submarine into an undersea tunnel that leads to Godzilla's home: an underwater city irradiated enough to recharge him. Unfortunately, the team realizes the natural process could take years to recharge Godzilla. Ultimately, the team decides to detonate the nuclear weapon, but due to earlier damages the submarine suffered from a vortex, the weapon system is offline. Serizawa volunteers to manually detonate the weapon, and travels into the air pocket Godzilla is resting in. He is able to say farewell to the Titan as the warhead detonates. The detonation revives Godzilla and increases his power, making him larger and stronger than before.

In Boston, Massachusetts, Emma realizes that the destruction Ghidorah and the other Titans will bring is far worse than what humans could inflict, but Jonah refuses to back down. Madison overhears this and is able to steal the ORCA and escape, intending to carry out her mother's idea on stopping Ghidorah. Traveling to Fenway Park, Madison broadcasts a frequency that attracts all the Titans to its location.

Ghidorah arrives at Boston in an attempt to destroy the ORCA. Madison sacrifices the device, but is still targeted by Ghidorah, before he can kill her, Godzilla appears with Monarch's assistance to engage it. The Monarch team learns that the warhead's radiation overcharged Godzilla: while did make him stronger, he will overload and emit a thermonuclear explosion. Mark leads a Monarch team to rescue Madison and escape the city before Godzilla overloads. Mothra arrives to support Godzilla, but Rodan arrives in defense of Ghidorah and fights her, preventing either from helping their respective Alphas. Mothra defeats Rodan, but Godzilla is injured and overpowered. A badly injured Mothra sacrifices herself to shield Godzilla from Ghidorah; she is disintegrated by Ghidorah's lightning, but her ashes rain down onto Godzilla and transfer her energy to him.

Mark, Emma, and Madison are reunited and attempt to restart the damaged ORCA to lure Ghidorah away from Godzilla. As they are evacuated, Emma drives away with the ORCA to continue luring Ghidorah so Mark and Madison can escape, sacrificing herself in the process. Godzilla recovers and unleashes thermonuclear blasts, bombarding Ghidorah with atomic pulses that destroy him for good. Rodan and the other Titans then converge on Godzilla, bowing to him as their new "King of the Monsters".

As the film ends, it is revealed that Monarch has divulged its information on the Titans to the public. News clippings show a newly discovered Mothra egg, Titans beginning to converge on Skull Island, and ancient paintings displaying Godzilla battling Kong.

In a post-credit scene, a fisherman reveals one of the decapitated heads of Ghidorah to Jonah, restarting his eco-terrorism plot.

Cast & Characters
Actor's name on the left, character(s) played on the right.


 * Kyle Chandler as Dr. Mark Russell
 * Vera Farmiga as Dr. Emma Russell
 * Millie Bobby Brown as Madison Russell
 * Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishirō Serizawa
 * Bradley Whitford as Dr. Rick Stanton
 * Zhang Ziyi as Dr. Ilene Chen and Dr. Ling Chen
 * Charles Dance as Alan Jonah
 * Thomas Middleditch as Dr. Sam Coleman
 * Aisha Hinds as Colonel Diane Foster
 * O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Chief Warrant Officer Jackson Barnes
 * Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham
 * David Strathairn as Admiral William Stenz
 * Joe Morton as Houston Brooks
 * CCH Pounder as Senator Williams
 * Anthony Ramos as Staff Sergeant Anthony Martinez
 * Randall Havens as Dr. Tim Mancini
 * Elizabeth Ludlow as First Lieutenant Lauren Griffin
 * Godzilla as Himself
 * King Ghidorah as Himself
 * Mothra as Herself
 * Rodan as Himself

Monsters

 * Godzilla
 * Mothra
 * Rodan
 * Ghidorah
 * Jinshin-Mushi
 * Behemoth
 * Scylla
 * Methuselah
 * Leafwings
 * Leviathan (computer screen)
 * Mokele-Mbembe (computer screen)
 * Baphomet (computer screen)
 * Tiamat (computer screen)
 * Typhon (computer screen)
 * Abaddon (computer screen)
 * Sargon (computer screen)
 * Bunyip (computer screen)
 * Sekhmet (computer screen)
 * Yamata No Orochi (computer screen)
 * Quetzalcoatl (computer screen)
 * Kong (computer screen and painting)
 * MUTO 1 (footage)
 * MUTO 2 (footage)

Organizations

 * Monarch
 * G-Team

Vehicles

 * USS Argo
 * V-22 Osprey

Devices

 * The ORCA

Weapons

 * Maser Cannon
 * Oxygen Destroyer
 * Nuclear Weapon

2014
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, 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, 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 pterosaur-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, 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, announced production of a new Japanese Godzilla film for 2016. Then, on August 18, 2016 Toho announced production of another Japanese Godzilla film for 2017. Despite being released between Legendary's Godzilla films, the new films, Shin Godzilla and the 2017 anime trilogy 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.

2015
On July 9, 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, 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.

2016
On May 10, 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, 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, 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.

2017
On January 8, 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, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Millie Bobby Brown is cast in a role.

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

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

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

On April 18, it was revealed that Aisha Hinds had joined the cast.

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

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

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

On May 31, 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, Zhang Ziyi is cast in a significant role within the covert Monarch organization established in Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla, and she’ll no doubt appear in future 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.

2018
Some news of the film would finally arrive in 2018, with one of the film's stars, O'Shea Jackson Jr., teasing the final battle between Godzilla and King Ghidorah.

"In the last scene between Godzilla and King Ghidorah, I promise you, you will never forget it, in your life... as a nerd, I am foaming at the mouth to get like in the editing room... Godzilla will be the number 1 movie."

- O'Shea Jackson Jr.

He would then go on about the conflict, stating:

"The way that him [Godzilla] and Ghidorah fight... man... Kong better bring some shit."

- O'Shea Jackson Jr.

On March 6, test screenings for the film were reported to have occurred. This news was reported by Jeremy Conrad on Twitter.

Following this news, on the 7th, early reactions to the film implied similarities between it and 2017's Kong: Skull Island, noting that the monster fights were epic, while human characterization took a backseat. Overall, it was compared more to Skull Island than to its 2014 predecessor. According to a Redditor known as Preskomesko12345, 40 minutes of the film with unfinished effects were shown. Answering questions about the footage from other Redditors, Preskomesko12345 mentions several points: Godzilla's design change appeared to be only slight with some red being visible on his skin, Godzilla and the other monsters have a lot of screentime, the detail in the colors and fur on Mothra's wings were standouts, the return of Mothra's pollen dust, the film has more action, it's more colorful and feels more fun than the original, and that it ties into Skull Island.

On the same day, a leaked CGI design of King Ghidorah was reportedly accidentally shown to the public in a montage video released by Amalgamated Dynamics, the studio responsible for the 2014 Godzilla's visual effects. This was confirmed to be false by the studio and director Mike Dougherty.

In late March, casting calls went out for the film, starting on the 22nd, 23rd , and 29th. These casting calls were presumably for reshoots of the film.

On April 26, it was announced that Jason Liles, who starred in Rampage would be joining the cast of King of the Monsters for motion capture purposes regarding Godzilla's arch nemesis, King Ghidorah. He will be one of several actors mo-capping the monster. It was later clarified that Jason will portray Ghidorah's middle head, with Alan Maxson playing the right, and Richard Dorton portraying the left, while unnamed colleagues play the monster's body.

On May 18, a vague tweet was posted by director Mike Dougherty, who posted an image of a snake with a boom mic set up nearby. The tweet simply reads "Just another day at the office."

On the 22nd, Mike posted a new tweet, reading "Today’s weather." The image alongside the tweet has a large hurricane present on thermal imaging, with the bold text "Monster Zero" above it.

2019
On March 21, new plot details were revealed by IGN, which reportedly features a terrorist organization searching for the "ORCA", a device that's used to speak with the Titans.

On April 25, two tracks from the soundtrack were released by WaterTower Music; both orchestrated by McCreary, "Old Rivals" and a cover of Blue Öyster Cult's Godzilla with vocals performed by Serj Tankian and members of Dethklok contributing. It was also revealed that McCreary incorporated Yuji Koseki’s Mothra Song into the film.

Alternate titles

 * Godzilla 2 (Early title)
 * Fathom (Working title)
 * Godzilla II: King of the Monsters (International title)
 * Godzilla: King of Monsters (ゴジラ　キング・オブ・モンスターズ Gojira Kingu Obu Monsutāzu) (Japan)
 * Godzilla II: King of the Monsters (Godzilla II: Rey de los monstruos) (Spain)
 * Godzilla II: The King of the Monsters (Godzilla II: el Rey de los monstruos) (Latin America)
 * Godzilla 2: King of Monsters (Годзилла 2: Король монстров) (Russia)
 * Godzilla II: King of Monsters (Godzilla II: Rei dos Monstros) (Brazil)
 * Godzilla II: King of the Monsters (哥吉拉II：怪獸之王 Gējílā II: Guàishòu zhī wáng) (Taiwan)
 * Godzilla II: King of the Behemoths (哥斯拉II: 王者巨獸 Go1si1laai1 II: Wong4ze2 geoi6sau3) (Hong Kong)

Trivia

 * The first Godzilla film, either by Toho or a Hollywood studio to be released during Japan's Reiwa Period (令和時代 Reiwa jidai) and the reign of Emperor Naruhito, after the end of the Heisei era.
 * 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 period being the second longest.
 * The first American-made Godzilla film to include music originally composed by Akira Ifukube (not counting the 1956 American release of Gojira) and Yuji Koseki.
 * The release date of the second trailer, December 10, 2018, marks the 5th anniversary of the release of the 2014 film's teaser trailer, which was released on December 10, 2013.
 * The first sequel to a Godzilla film made by Hollywood.
 * This marks the first time that Blue Öyster Cult's 1977 single, "Godzilla", is used in a Godzilla film.
 * Originally the movie was supposed to be 2 hours and 40-45 minutes long but it was cut and dropped to 2 hours and 12 minutes.

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