Unveiling the Masterpiece: Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters Shatters Expectations in the MonsterVerse

Summary

The director of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters reveals how the upcoming show will focus on characters on the ground, providing a fresh perspective on the MonsterVerse franchise.

The show aims to create characters that viewers can emotionally connect with, seeking to strike a balance between thrilling monster battles and relatable human experiences. Excitement surrounds the unique approach of portraying a monster story through the perspectives of individuals on the ground, with enthusiastic participation from Apple, Toho, and Legendary as partners in the show.

The director of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has shared their strategy for avoiding backlash from the MonsterVerse franchise. This upcoming show will be the first live-action television series within the franchise, which encompasses the films Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island, and Godzilla vs. Kong. It will delve into the enigmatic monster research organization known as Monarch, centering around Army officer Lee Shaw (portrayed by Kurt and Wyatt Russell at different ages) and a diverse ensemble cast featuring Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett, and Elisa Lasowski.

Collider recently interviewed director Matt Shakman about the first season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, premiering on Apple TV+ on November 17. Shakman acknowledged that the movies tend to prioritize the monsters over the human characters, but due to the show's 10-episode length, Monarch has developed characters that will "deliver the excitement" and offer "the perspective of the people on the ground." Read his complete statement below.

The MonsterVerse Could Use More Consistent Characters

The excitement among the people was palpable. The innovative creation by the co-developers, Chris Black and Matt Fraction, had captivated everyone's attention. It drew me in too, as I was tremendously thrilled by the unique storyline. It felt invigorating, offering a breath of fresh air. In my opinion, it dawned upon everyone that when you are recounting a series, particularly a drama spanning ten episodes, you must truly immerse yourself in the characters' experiences on the ground. And that was precisely their approach – narrating a monstrous tale from the standpoint of the ordinary people on the ground, much like I love to do on Game of Thrones. For me, delving into the Lannister army and witnessing firsthand the harrowing effects of war is far more intriguing. It echoes the way I try to comprehend the lives of the people in San Francisco as they witness the passing monsters. While movies tend to focus on grand spectacles like Kong versus Godzilla, we needed to create characters who would guide you through that narrative, characters you would grow fond of and genuinely care about. At the same time, we wanted to deliver the exhilaration of what transpires in the upper echelons, albeit from the perspective of those on the ground. They flawlessly cracked that formula, providing a truly refreshing perspective. Naturally, this got everyone excited right from the start: the people at Apple, Toho, Legendary – all of them are incredible partners.

Throughout the history of the Godzilla franchise, the human characters have played a significant role in driving the narrative, but they have not often made frequent appearances in multiple entries. Miki Saegusa (Megumi Odaka) stands as a notable exception in the Japanese Godzilla movies, as she portrayed a psychic character who appeared consecutively in six films, starting from 1989's Godzilla vs. Biollante and concluding with 1995's Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. Actors like Kenji Sahara and Akira Takarada have also been part of the franchise, having appeared in numerous entries, but they have typically portrayed different characters each time they appeared.

In the MonsterVerse franchise, there have been four movies so far, but they have struggled with inconsistency in regards to characters. While there are more recurring human characters overall, the ever-changing settings and unique MonsterVerse timeline mean that most of the major returning characters have only appeared in two movies. This includes Millie Bobby Brown as survivor Madison Russell (in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong), Ken Watanabe as Monarch scientist Dr. Serizawa (in Godzilla and King of the Monsters), and Bryan Tyree Henry as conspiracy theorist Bernie Hayes (in Godzilla vs. Kong and the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire).

However, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters aims to change this by introducing a stronger network of characters to the MonsterVerse. For example, the Monarch trailer has revealed that John Goodman will be returning, reprising his role as Monarch official Bill Randa from Kong: Skull Island. If Shakman's assessment holds true, this show could finally provide the franchise's various timelines with a consistent group of recurring characters, which could greatly enhance the storytelling and propel the series forward.

Source: Collider