Hollow Earth lizard

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Overview

Hollow Earth Lizard
Nomenclature
Nickname(s)	Lizard-like monsters Scaly quadrupeds Titanus Doug or Doug Proto-Zilla Vile Vortex Titan of Terror Giant Lizards Food-stealer
Biological Information
Species	Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism
Status	Extant
Affiliation Information
Enemies	Rockclaws Wart Dogs Leafwings Kong
Production Information
First appearance	Godzilla vs. Kong
Latest appearance	MonsterVerse Declassified

Hollow Earth lizards are enormous reptilian superspecies created by Legendary Pictures that first appeared in the 2021 film, Godzilla vs. Kong. One of the creatures would later make a brief appearance in the 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where it scavenges a kill from Kong.

Name

The creatures are unnamed currently, as they are not mentioned in dialogue in Godzilla vs. Kong. In the film's novelization, they are simply called "lizard-like monsters." The HBO MAX audio description identifies them as Foetodon, albeit it is not confirmed if this is official, while Godzilla vs. Kong: One Will Fall: The Art of the Ultimate Battle Royale calls them "Scaly Quadrupeds." The creature was given the nickname "Doug" (or "Titanus Doug") among fans, including Adam Wingard and Legendary itself, which has generated many memes across on the Internet, especially on YouTube. The nickname has also been printed on an official T-shirt featuring the Hollow Earth lizard.

Design

Appearance

Hollow Earth lizards are large reptilians, being grayish black in coloration with rows of spikes and osteoderms covering their back, shoulders, and tail, likely as a means of defense from other creatures within the Hollow Earth.

Their heads are short and robust, and possess jaws filled with large teeth. Their eyes are almost forward facing allowing binocular or stereoscopic vision, similar to many modern predatory species, indicating that Hollow Earth lizards are predators. Their eyes also possess a bony ridge right above their eye sockets, similar to a crocodilian.

Portrayal

All Hollow Earth lizards are portrayed by CGI.

Personality

The Hollow Earth lizards are subterranean predators that inhabit the rocky plains of the Hollow Earth. They demonstrate ambush predatory behavior, utilizing their gray coloration for camouflage and taking advantage of disrupted prey, as observed when Kong disturbed a group of Rockclaws, making them vulnerable to the lizards' ambush. The lizards also display scavenging behavior, as one would later claim a deceased Wart Dog from Kong, who had just hunted the creature.

There are indications of social tendencies within the species, as groups of these lizards are observed traveling or congregating, potentially suggesting a propensity for communal behavior, especially in the pursuit of larger food sources.

These lizards are shown to be somewhat intelligent, as one can use its jaws to grab onto things while climbing and utilize trees as catapults. However, they can also be easily distracted by new things that can cause them to forget the perilous situations they find themselves in.

Origins

The Hollow Earth lizards' origin are relatively unknown. However, they seemingly evolved within the Hollow Earth, growing to their substantial size due to the energy sustaining all species inside the Hollow Earth. In the artbook Godzilla vs. Kong: One Will Fall: The Art of the Ultimate Battle Royale, it is stated that the Hollow Earth Lizards were designed to resemble Godzilla, suggesting but not outright confirming a relation to the Titanus Gojira evolutionary lineage.

History

Godzilla vs. Kong

A Hollow Earth lizard is seen attacking and eating a Rockclaw, while several more of the creatures can be seen in the distance as Kong and the Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicles pass by.

Godzilla x Kong: The Hunted

Kong comes across a cave painting illustrating a Hollow Earth lizard while exploring the Hollow Earth.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

After successfully hunting a pack of Wart Dogs, Kong sits on a cliffside to devour his kills but ends up breaking his upper left canine, revealing a tooth infection. Taking advantage, a Hollow Earth lizard attempts to drag away one of the Wart Dog carcasses but is discovered by Kong. The Hollow Earth lizard engaged into a brief tug-of-war match with the Great Ape over the carcass, until a roar similar to Kong's caught his attention and made let go of the carcass. The creature gave Kong a confused look before turning and running off with its new meal.

MonsterVerse Declassified

A Hollow Earth lizard wakes up from its slumber in the Hollow Earth and heads out from its den to hunt for breakfast. It manages to catch a Rockclaw before waddling to the direction of a distant roar. The lizard soon witnesses a Wart Dog attempting to hunt a Leafwing until it loses its interest and wanders off. It soon finds itself falling into a pit before using its claws and teeth to climb back out. When the lizard is about to fall again, it clamps its jaws around a vine and pulls its hulking figure out from the hole. It continues to explore the Hollow Earth before coming across the same Wart Dog and Leafwing again. The annoyed lizard decides to throw a rock at the two creatures, only for the rock to fall back into its head. The infuriated lizard decides to use a tree to fling himself onto the root where the Wart Dog and the Leafwing are fighting on. The lizard participates in the fight before deciding to flee after the Wart Dog stomps on its tail. The Wart Dog pursues the lizard until it is cornered on the edge of a volcanic pit. The lizard prepares for the Wart Dog's attack when a hovering dragonfly distracts and lures it away. The Wart Dog inadvertently leaps into the volcanic pit while the lizard resumes its life in the Hollow Earth.

Abilities

Jaw strength

The primary strength of the Hollow Earth lizards lies in their powerful jaws, capable of crushing the carapace of Rockclaws. The lizards' jaws can also hold and drag the carcasses of creatures of comparable size to themselves.

Speed

Hollow Earth lizards are quick enough to catch scuttling Rockclaws and can run as fast as Wart Dogs.

Strength

The Hollow Earth lizards exhibit considerable physical strength, as one would engage in a tug-of-war struggle with Kong, attempting to drag a Wart Dog carcass of comparable size.

Gallery

Concept art by Jared Krichevsky

Concept art by Jared Krichevsky

Trivia

• These giant lizards appear to be a reference to the giant lizard from King Kong vs. Godzilla.
• Because of its size and appearance, it almost resembles the Foetodon from the 2005 remake of King Kong.
  • Additionally, these creatures were called "Foetodon" in the audio description. However, it is unknown if "Foetodon" is its official name.

List of appearances

Films

• Godzilla vs. Kong (First appearance)
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Comics

• Godzilla x Kong: The Hunted (Cave painting)
• MonsterVerse Declassified

Novels

• Godzilla vs. Kong - The Official Movie Novelization
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - The Official Movie Novelization