Kong’s Monsterverse Return Can Finally Make Up For The True Skull Island Sequel That Never Happened

Kong’s upcoming return in the Monsterverse can finally help make up for the true sequel to 2017’s Kong: Skull Island that never ended up happening. The giant ape was first introduced during his solo movie, before having a crossover with Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021. He was later a prominent character in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire in 2024, helping the reptilian Titan take down the Skar King. But his adventures are far from over, with a Godzilla x Kong sequel already in development, slated for release on March 26, 2027.

These crossover sequels have done plenty to emphasize Kong’s character, often giving him the spotlight alongside a cast of human allies. By the end of Godzilla 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 a Skull Island sequel should have.

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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 series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters could be the perfect way for Kong’s story to get expanded in ways the movies haven’t touched on before. At the end of Monarch season 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 Kong approaching their research facility.

With Monarch season 2 confirmed, the show can further expand on what happened to Kong between the events of Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla vs. Kong. While some of these ideas were presented in the Netflix animated series Skull 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

He’s Had Plenty Of Focus, But Never In A Solo Outing

Ever since his debut in Kong: Skull Island, the Titan hasn’t had a solo outing within the Monsterverse’s live-action projects. While the animated Skull Island series 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 in Monarch season 2 unique, and ripe for further exploration of his backstory before his first encounter with Godzilla.

In addition, Monarch‘s inclusion of Apex Cybernetics has strong ties to Godzilla 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 both Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong showed 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 where Monarch season 2 has a chance to shine, offering a storyline that’s more focused on Skull Island and 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 focusing Monarch season 2 on Kong, the Monsterverse has 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.

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.

Cast

Kurt Russell
, Wyatt Russell
, Anna Sawai
, Kiersey Clemons
, Ren Watabe
, Mari Yamamoto
, Anders Holm
, Joe Tippett
, Elisa Lasowski

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Apple TV+

Writers

Chris Black
, Matt Fraction

Directors

Matt Shakman

Showrunner

Chris Black
, Matt Fraction

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