7 Monsterverse TV Show Spinoffs We Want To See After Monarch

April 16, 2024, 12:35 p.m.

Movies

7 Monsterverse TV Show Spinoffs We Want To See After Monarch

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Summary Apple TV+ is expanding the Monsterverse with multiple spinoffs, including Mothra and potential new Titans shows.

Rodan could have his own solo project if the Monsterverse continues to grow in scale.

A Monsterverse series set in the Hollow Earth could introduce new Titans and expand the lore beyond the movies.

Warning: Spoilers for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

With numerous Monsterverse TV spinoffs on the way, it's worth wondering which characters and concepts from Godzilla and Kong's world will get their own shows next. With Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire making a splash at the box office, there's already good reason to be optimistic about the future of Legendary's Monsterverse. However, it's become apparent that it's not just the movie side of the Monsterverse that's going strong. A recent announcement indicates it will also thrive on the small screen, presumably for years.

Both Netflix and Apple TV+ have been involved in expanding the Monsterverse through streaming. In the case of Netlfix, it's unclear if it has anything else to add to the mix, considering that its Skull Island anime released in June 2023 and has yet to be renewed. Apple TV+, on the other hand, has confirmed that Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 is in development. Plus, Apple TV+ has plans to grow its corner of the Monsterverse with "multiple" spinoffs. The promise of more than one TV series set in the Monsterverse speaks to the overall success of Godzilla and Kong's cinematic universe and the streamer's commitment to its characters.

Of course, the focus of these spinoffs - and exactly how many there will be - remains open to speculation. That said, there's no shortage of avenues for Apple TV+ to explore when it comes to the Monsterverse. Across five Godzilla and Kong movies, Legendary has built an expansive, lore-rich world rife with storytelling opportunities. Not only that, but it's important to note that the streamer's options go beyond the Titans and locations the Monsterverse has already established, given that Toho's library of kaiju lends Apple TV+ even more appealing options.

7 Rodan

Rodan proved almost 70 years ago that he can carry his own project

In Toho's movies, Rodan has a reputation as one of Godzilla's biggest allies. Godzilla: King of the Monsters' ending paved the way for the two to finally team up, but such an alliance has yet too appear in the Monsterverse. Rodan was denied opportunities to help Godzilla in both Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong. But if the movies continue to increase in scale, the next installment could be the only that facilities Rodan's return, possibly in an effort to bolster Godzilla and Kong's forces ahead of a massive Titan battle. If that happens, the Monsterverse can help build toward a potential team-up with Godzilla and Kong via a Rodan-centric TV show.

If the Monsterverse were to give a solo movie or show to a Titan other than Godzilla or Kong, Rodan would arguably be the strongest candidate. Having already headlined a popular kaiju movie in 1956, not to mention a handful of appearances in Godzila's movies, Rodan has enough name recognition to justify making him the focus of his own show. As for what it could entail, a Rodan series from Apple TV+ could explore humans dealing with the ramifications of Rodan emerging from a volcano. When he was last mentioned in canon, Rodan was in Fiji, but he could have moved since then. Regardless of where he is now, his next awakening could pit him against a Titan rival of his own.

6 Gamera

Apple TV+'s spinoffs could set up a Godzilla vs. Gamera showdown

While not a Toho property, Gamera would make a lot of sense for a Monsterverse installment. A kaiju owned by the Kadokawa Corporation and a former box office rival to Godzilla, Gamera has starred in 12 monster movies since 1965. Although he hasn't been on the big screen since 2006, Gamera remains popular with giant monster movie fans and could be a boon to Apple TV+'s Monsterverse lineup. As a turtle-like monster with a jet-powered shell, Gamera has what it takes to be a formidable Monsterverse Titan complete with a great design.

The fact that Godzilla and Gamera aren't in the franchise shouldn't stop the Monsterverse from using the kaiju. Rather, it could increase interest in the prospect. For years, a Godzilla vs. Gamera crossover movie has been talked about, but not something that's ever come close to fruition. Similar to how Legendary has acquired some of Toho's monsters, the studio could purchase the rights to Gamera and use a Monsterverse TV series to introduce him. Godzilla: King of the Monsters director Michael Dougherty once acknowledged this possibility, explaining that Gamera could join the Monsterverse if the rights were bought.

5 Godzilla B.C.

In contrast to traditional Godzilla movies where the King of the Monsters is simply a product of nuclear testing, the Monsterverse is a world rooted in ancient history. The Titans of the Monsterverse have been alive for thousands of years, with their backstories referenced across several movies. But in spite of the importance ancient history has to the Monsterverse's lore, none of its movies or shows have been set prior to the 20th century. A Godzilla B.C. movie has been discussed by Dougherty, but the concept has never gotten further than that.

A chance to see the idea realized in live-action could come in the near future thanks to Apple TV+'s upcoming expansion of the Monsterverse. If one of its spinoffs is set centuries ago, it could show Godzilla and other Monsterverse Titans from the perspective of an ancient human society. Focusing on people who have no technological means of opposing the Titan threat would make Godzilla B.C. inherently different from all other projects featuring the kaiju. Heading in this direction could also enable the Monsterverse to solve some of the mysteries of its past, such as the Anguirus skeleton spotted in Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

4 King Caesar

King Caesar has only been in two Godzilla movies

The story of 1974's Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla reveals the perfect blueprint for a new Monsterverse adventure, one that wouldn't even need Godzilla himself. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla saw its human protagonists go on a quest to awaken King Caesar, a dog-like kaiju that acts as the protector of Okinawa. As an ancient guardian, King Caesar is similar to concept to the Monsterverse's Mothra, meaning he would fit seamlessly into its world. It's not hard to imagine King Caesar hibernating somewhere in the Monsterverse, waiting for humans to seek his aid against an evil Titan.

Whereas Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla ultimately saw Godzilla steal the spotlight from the kaiju in the final showdown against Mechagodzilla, a King Caesar TV series could let the monster stand on his own. Taking this route could be a great move for the Monsterverse, especially if the spinoff proves successful. So far, the Monsterverse has rested on the shoulders of Godzilla and Kong, but it can slowly ease some of the burden onto other heroic monsters if it brings in kaiju like King Caesar. And after his show ends, he could have his story continued in a future Monsterverse movie alongside Godzilla or Kong (if not both).

3 A Monsterverse Series Set In The Hollow Earth

It could unveil another Hollow Earth realm

Similar to how Netflix's Skull Island show offered an in-depth look at the ecosystem of Kong's home, a show set in the Monsterverse's Hollow Earth world would provide all sorts of unchartered territory for it to explore, albeit on a much wider scale. Theoretically, the series could take place after Godzilla vs. Kong in the Monsterverse timeline, which was when Monarch figured out how to safely enter the Hollow Earth. As evidenced by Godzilla x Kong, Monarch now has outposts all over the Titans' underground world. A TV show could center on the exploits of one of these Monarch teams and highlight the various monsters they encounter down there.

Because the Hollow Earth is a massive place that houses multiple realms, there wouldn't be much of a risk of it interfering with what Legendary's movies may have in store for Godzilla and Kong if they reunite in another film. Not unlike how Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 1 created its own corner of the Hollow Earth with Axis Mundi, a Monsterverse spinoff could build its own realm, complete with unique monsters and geography. But as opposed to Monarch, which ended its first season with a two-episode arc in Axis Mundi, a hypothetical Hollow Earth show could be set primarily underground.

2 Mothra

The Monsterverse could reveal more about Mothra's history and how her life cycle works

With Mothra alive again after Godzilla x Kong, Apple TV+'s Monsterverse spinoffs have the potential to continue her journey. She may not be the physical threat that Godzilla is, but she possesses enough power to be considered a force to be reckoned with. That, combined with the mystique of the character and her heroic nature, has helped Mothra become an enduring monster movie icon independent of Godzilla. If the Monsterverse were to take a cue from Toho's many Mothra movies, it could devote an entire series to the Queen of the Monsters.

There's several directions a Mothra series could take, one of which being the loose end created by the introduction of Zhang Ziyi's dual characters in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. They were positioned to be the Monsterverse's answer to the Twin Fairies, but the Monsterverse has seemingly abandoned the connection. It could be properly revisited in the show, which could explain their connection to Mothra. As for who the villain could be, Mothra's show could introduce Battra, her evil counterpart from Godzilla vs. Mothra. Battra's debut could provide an explanation for the Mothra-like egg teased by the King of the Monsters credits.

1 A Monsterverse Series Based On King Of The Monsters' Original Titans

10 Titans from Godzilla: King of the Monsters still haven't appeared onscreen yet

Of course, Apple TV+'s shows don't have to rely solely on fan-favorite kaiju that predate the Monsterverse. It has an impressive lineup of monsters of its own that it can lean on as well. In addition to the four original Titans featured in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the movie confirmed the existence of 11 more. One, Tiamat, appeared in Godzilla x Kong, but the other 10 still haven't made their live-action debuts. Since most of these creatures lack official designs, any show that decides to use them would have a great deal of creative freedom when building their places in Monsterverse lore.

Missing Titan Monarch Outpost Location Mokele-Mbembe Sudan Yamata no Orochi Fuji, Japan Typhon Cambodia Abaddon Wyoming, United States Bunyip Ayers Rock, Australia Sekhmet Cairo, Egypt Baphomet Volubilus, Morocco Quetzalcoatl Machu Pichu, Peru Leviathan Loch Ness, Scotland

Any of the 10 unseen Monsterverse Titans, combined with the other original Titans still alive after Godzilla x Kong, could get special attention in the show, with one or two taking center stage. Some, like Abaddon and Typhon, have mythological connections that could hint at them being the villains, while one of the other monsters could be utilized as a protector Titan in the same vein as Godzilla or Mothra. This role could be fulfilled by mystery Titans like Sekhmet or Leviathan.