Legendary’s MonsterVerse continues to grow its monstrous footprint with the addition of a prequel series to Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. The monster-centric franchise began with 2014’s Godzilla, followed by 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, which spawned a connected universe of films. The franchise expanded with the Apple TV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which embraced a dual narrative and stellar casting.
Monarch follows characters after the events of 2014’s Godzilla, with Kurt Russell leading the cast as Lee Shaw. The show utilized unique casting to weave in past events surrounding the organization’s origins, seeing Wyatt Russell playing a younger version of his father’s character. While the show featured its fair share of monsters, including glimpses of Godzilla, Monarch thrived thanks to human dynamics and emotionally impactful storytelling. The second season of the MonsterVerse show is slated to debut on Apple TV in February, and it now seems that isn’t all fans of the show have to look forward to.
As reported by Nexus Point News, the streaming service has given the green light to a Monarch prequel series, with Wyatt Russell returning to star as Lee Shaw. A name for the show was not provided, but it’s said to take place during the Cold War era, when Shaw and the monsters are caught between the growing tensions between Russia and the USA.
Joby Harold, known for his work on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, will act as showrunner. Harold executive-produces with his wife, Tory Tunnell, both of whom served as executive producers on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, demonstrating a proven familiarity with the property.
Legendary’s MonsterVerse Has Big Plans With ‘Godzilla x Kong: Supernova’ and More
The Monarch spinoff is still in early development, with more details likely to follow, potentially under wraps until Monarch: Legacy of Monsters airs its second season. The upcoming season has teased what’s in store, with fans being dealt a substantial plot shift in the first-season finale, which many are eager to see continued. How Russell’s prequel connects with the character remains to be seen, but Monarch impressed critics, with some fans even preferring it to the bombastic films.
Another MonsterVerse film is on the way, as the follow-up to 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is slated for release in 2027. Godzilla x Kong: Supernova sees the two infamous Kaiju reuniting for another blockbuster bout, though their rival is yet to be revealed. Speculation about the forthcoming sequel points to SpaceGodzilla, but it is not yet confirmed. Still, with MechaGodzilla previously appearing in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the rumor could prove true when fans finally get a chance to see what the film has in store.
With the films still going strong at the box office, the MonsterVerse is sure to continue with sequels. If the spinoff of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters impresses audiences, fans could see the franchise continue to grow on television as well.
- Release Date
-
November 16, 2023
- Network
-
Apple TV+
- Showrunner
-
Chris Black, Matt Fraction
- Writers
-
Chris Black, Matt Fraction