Coinciding with the beginning of production in Atlanta, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have unveiled an official press release detailing the cast, synopsis and production details for the tentatively titled Godzilla 2.
The follow-up to Gareth Edwards’ 2014 Godzilla will serve as the next instalment in WB and Legendary’s “MonsterVerse” alongside Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ Kong: Skull Island as well as the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong, which is to be helmed by Adam Wingard. Previously titled Godzilla: King of the Monsters, today’s press release does all to indicate a multifold of monsters to be front-and-centre as well as perhaps a few alterations from the original vision, as it now being a part of a larger cinematic universe.
Edwards, who was originally slated to direct the film, departed the project due to release schedules last year. His replacement has been known since January, with Trick ‘r Treat and Krampus director Michael Dougherty tapped to direct the film from a script he had written with his fellow Krampus scribe Zach Shields. And based on the synopsis released, the pair have spared no expense in including enough renowned villains for the titular hero to square up against. Here is the offical 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.
This sounds like nothing short of a colossal monster movie and a departure from the tonal formula of Edwards’ predecessor. The film is also presented with a spectacular ensemble cast led by Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler and Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. They are joined by Bradley Whitford, Thomas Middleditch, Charles Dance, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Aisha Hands and Zhang Ziyi. With Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins reprising their roles from the initial film.
Behind the scenes, the creative team includes War Dogs and Garden State cinematographer Lawrence Sher, who also provided additional photography for Godzilla. While production designer Scott Chambliss (Star Trek Into Darkness), editor Roger Barton (Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith), costume designer Louise Migenbach (X-Men) and Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Guillaume Rocheron (Life of Pi) have all joined the project.
The untitled Godzilla sequel is definitely hunting for something heavily epic and rooted in genre. With Dougherty’s CV and a illustrious cohort of cast and crew, what they ultimately produce will be undoubtedly imaginative. As more news on Godzilla 2 emerges, it will be reported here.
Godzilla 2 hits U.S. theatres on March 22, 2019. No word on an Australian release date has surfaced as of yet, but it expect it around the same time.
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