Summary
- Director Adam Wingard hints at expanding
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
into a trilogy, exploring new visual styles unique to the MonsterVerse. - Despite critical reviews, the film achieved a robust $80 million debut, signaling potential for further entries in the series.
- MonsterVerse thrives as
Godzilla x Kong
sets a new standard, attracting broad audiences and resonating with long-time enthusiasts.
Adam Wingard, director of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has hinted at the possibility of expanding the franchise into a trilogy. Despite a barrage of critical reviews, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire achieved a robust debut, raking in $80 million across North America during its opening weekend.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Wingard discussed potential future projects, saying,
”
There’s an attraction to rounding it out as a trilogy.
Moreover, there are still fresh avenues to explore and new ways to enhance the visual style unique to the MonsterVerse, which has benefited from the diverse artistic touches brought by different directors.”
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
1.5/5
- Release Date
- March 29, 2024
- Runtime
- 115 Minutes
- Studio
- Legendary Entertainment, Screen Queensland, Warner Bros.
- Tagline
- Bow to your new king.
Legendary and Warner Bros., the studios behind the film, have expressed their optimism about the franchise’s direction. Mary Parent, Chairman of Worldwide Production at Legendary, commented on the film’s performance and the potential for further entries in the series. “This result is definitely exciting,” she remarked. “While these are still the early stages, the reception gives us confidence in the franchise’s path forward.”
The film’s success arrives at a crucial time for cinemas. Despite the critical skepticism, director Adam Wingard’s fresh take on the MonsterVerse has found a substantial audience. His latest offering diverges from his 2021 movie, Godzilla vs. Kong, by teaming up the titular titans to save the planet rather than engage them in combat.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire marks a significant milestone in the MonsterVerse, achieving the second-largest opening among the five films in the series that began with Godzilla in 2014. The film’s strong performance is particularly notable given the current climate of franchise fatigue. For comparison, Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire, released just a week earlier, opened at $45 million, barely surpassing the performance of its pandemic-impacted predecessor, Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Watch Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – Official Trailer below:
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s numbers not only surpassed industry forecasts but also signaled a formidable start, with the film’s global earnings soaring to $361.1 million by the tenth day, consistently leading the box office charts.
MonsterVerse Thrives as Godzilla x Kong Sets a New Standard for Blockbuster Economies
The film boasts a talented cast including Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens, who have managed to resonate with long-time enthusiasts and attract a new, younger audience. According to Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ domestic president of production, the film’s appeal was broad, attracting viewers throughout the day and significantly drawing in family audiences, a notable achievement for a series deep into its lineage.
Legendary boss Parent, a key figure behind the scenes, remarked on the film’s production, highlighting the dedication involved. She said:
Everyone made this film out of love, and remarkably, we spent less on this movie than any of the other films in the series.
This reduction in budget is notable, as production costs typically escalate with each sequel; “The New Empire” was produced with a net budget of $135 million, considerably less than the $150 million to $175 million spent on other entries.
The future looks promising for the MonsterVerse. With a blend of solid box office performance, strategic management, and creative vision, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is not just a sequel but a potential milestone in redefining the scope and success of blockbuster cinema franchises.
