Godzilla x Kong Perfectly Set Up A New Monsterverse Spinoff To Follow 89% Rotten Tomatoes Hit

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire!

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire perfectly set the stage for another Monsterverse TV spinoff, something that could now happen thanks to Apple TV+ wanting to expand the franchise. The newest movie focuses on Godzilla and Kong defending the world from the Skar King, a tyrannical giant ape that wants to bring about a new ice age. With the help of a revived Mothra and by freeing the Skar King’s prisoner, Shimo, Godzilla x Kong ended with everyone banding together and defeating the Titan before he could destroy the planet.

While a Godzilla x Kong sequel has yet to be announced, Apple TV+ revealed in April that they would be continuing to expand the Monsterverse through streaming series. They announced Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 while also confirming a variety of spinoffs would be produced, further fleshing out the monster-centric universe. However, it’s unclear which Titans are going to be featured in these future series. Luckily, Godzilla x Kong provides a strong case for one of its core monsters to get a TV series.

Godzilla x Kong Hinted At Mothra’s Return In The Monsterverse

Mothra’s Resurrection Means She’s Probably Not Gone For Good

Mothra’s return in Godzilla x Kong revealed her connections to the Hollow Earth and the Iwi people, specifically through Jia, who manages to revive her. After helping the titular Titans with their battle against the Skar King, Mothra sealed up the barrier isolating the Iwi from the rest of the world, protecting them from any future threats inside Hollow Earth. With the Queen of the Monsters now alive once more, the movie leaves an opening for her return in future installments – no doubt continuing to protect the world from threatening Titans.

However, the movie never reveals how Mothra might appear again, instead simply hinting at her coming back now that she’s free within Hollow Earth. Setup for Mothra’s return also goes as far back as Godzilla: King of the Monsters, which revealed an egg in her territory had been discovered. With this plotpoint also not followed up on yet, her comeback in Godzilla x Kong is the perfect excuse for her journey to continue. And, with Apple TV+’s commitment to the Monsterverse, her story could suitably continue in the form of a TV spinoff.

Why Mothra Should Be A TV Show Instead Of A Movie

Less Risk, More Potential

A TV show about Mothra would make the most sense for her future in the Monsterverse. While Godzilla x Kong surpassed $500 million at the global box office, its success has been aided by the two monsters headlining the film. Even though Mothra is a popular Toho kaiju, it’s clear the more recognizable Titans are what’s drawing audiences to see Monsterverse movies. Although a Mothra movie could work, it’s less of a risk to give her a TV show instead, especially if every movie in the franchise going forward is expected to perform as well as Godzilla x Kong.

Mothra is also very complex, given her connections to both the Iwi people and Godzilla that and powers of reincarnation. Because of how unique she is, a TV series would be able to better delve into her role in the Monsterverse, including her larger history beyond what the movies have covered. A show also has the perfect main character in Jia, who replaced the Mothra twins in Toho lore, being the strongest connection the flying Titan has to humanity. However, while a Mothra TV show could work, the spinoff would need a compelling reason to made in the first place.

What Could A Mothra Spinoff Be About?

A TV Show Could Introduce New Concepts & Monsters

If Mothra were to get her own TV spinoff, the story could help connect the missing link between Godzilla: King of the Monsters‘ setup for her return and how she actually came back in Godzilla x Kong. Based on newspaper clippings shown at the end of King of the Monsters, a Mothra egg is still located somewhere in her above-ground territory. Japanese Godzilla movies have featured multiple Mothras at one time before, something that could explain this discrepancy. A TV series would be perfect because of the additional details it could provide on her reincarnation process.

A TV show could also pull from Toho’s Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, features multiple iterations of Mothra defending Earth from various threats. One such threat is Desghidorah, a relative of King Ghidorah sealed away under the Earth. Including this monster as a key part of a Mothra TV show could help tie King of the Monsters‘ antagonist to a deeper story in the Monsterverse. The show could also introduce Battra, a darker character who first made an appearance in 1992’s Godzilla vs. Mothra.

Given the history Mothra has throughout the Godzilla franchise, there are an ample number of stories and villains that could be introduced in a TV spinoff centered on her. Not only would the show offer a detailed exploration of Mothra’s character in the Monsterverse, but it would also be the perfect way to expand the franchise with even deeper worldbuilding. Since Godzilla x Kong has already laid the groundwork for her TV show, it would be the most logical next step in her journey through the franchise.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

After nearly destroying each other in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the giant Titans are back to face a new dangerous threat, but this time, they are on the same side. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film in Warner Bros.’ growing Monsterverse franchise and will be directed by Adam Wingard.

Director

Adam Wingard

Release Date

March 29, 2024

Studio(s)

Legendary Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Terry Rossio , Simon Barrett , Jeremy Slater