How Godzilla x Kong's Biggest Godzilla Change Was Set Up By A 31-Year-Old Rodan Moment

Summary Godzilla's new evolved form in Godzilla x Kong is a direct result of absorbing radiation from Tiamat during their fight in the Arctic Ocean.

Similar to how Godzilla gained red energy powers from Rodan in the past, his new pink atomic power was stolen from Tiamat in the film.

The Monsterverse hints that Godzilla could potentially acquire Rodan's red spiral heat ray in future movies, further connecting their powers.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire's biggest change to Godzilla has a surprising connection to a Rodan scene from the 1990s. Arguably the most striking thing Godzilla x Kong did with the King of the Monsters was the introduction of his new Evolved form. For the first time in cinematic history, Godzilla's atomic power was pink.

Prior to the film, the cause of Godzilla's stunning new transformation was carefully kept under wraps, and the basis for it wasn't fully revealed until the release of the film. As it turned out, Godzilla's Evolved form was a direct result of an encounter with Tiamat, one of the Titans mentioned in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. By absorbing radiation from Tiamat during their fight in the Arctic Ocean, Godzilla was able to give himself a massive upgrade ahead of Godzilla x Kong's ending. The fact that his newfound strength belonged to Tiamat is reflected by his design change, as it copies the pink color of Tiamat's energy.

Godzilla Copied Rodan's Powers (& Energy Color) In Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II

Rodan had a red energy source in the movie, which Godzilla wound up with

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Godzilla stealing power from Tiamat and gaining a whole new look from it was an interesting shift for the Monsterverse to say the least, but as unusual as it may seem, it's not exactly an unprecedented move. Interestingly, what happened to Godzilla in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has its roots in the ending of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II. In the movie, a dying Rodan transferred what was left of his essence to Godzilla so that the latter could finish the fight with Mechagodzilla. Rodan's sacrifice saved Godzilla's life and gifted him with a brand-new power, the red spiral heat ray.

Before this moment, Godzilla's atomic blasts were blue, but after the power-up, Godzilla was able to fire red beams of energy, which were actually essential to Mechagodzilla's destruction. The color change - and apparent increase in power - stemmed directly from Rodan's fire powers. As Rodan was giving Godzilla his energy, his body could be seen glowing red, the same color as the new spiral heat ray Godzilla used afterward. How Godzilla copied Rodan's power mirrored his absorption of Tiamat's energy, but with one big difference: whereas Rodan gave his red power to Godzilla willingly, Tiamat had her pink energy stolen by Godzilla.

The Monsterverse's Godzilla Could Acquire Rodan's Power Too

This could be how Godzilla ends up with his Toho counterpart's red spiral heat ray

Since it's apparent from both Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire that Godzilla can draw on energy from other Monsterverse Titans, a chance exists that future movies will go further than just honoring Rodan's role in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II. Were Rodan to finally return in Godzilla vs. Kong 3, the Monsterverse could fully recreate Godzilla's acquisition of the red spiral heat ray by having Rodan transfer his fire powers to the King of the Monsters. Looking at what became of Tiamat, this could be Rodan's fate whether he accepts it or not.