Get your adult diapers out because you’re about to lose your shit. Legendary Pictures along with Warner Bros. Pictures have come together to create an epic, herculean new shared cinematic franchise. Much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this new franchise is going to feature a ton of cross overs, bringing in characters we grew up fearing and idolising at the same time. One such iconic figure would be King Kong. Yes, Skull Island’s apex predator is expected to battle with the King of Monsters, Godzilla, at cinemas across the globe in 2020. To set up the epic fight two films will be released as part of the trilogy, Kong: Skull Island in 2017 and Godzilla 2 in 2018.
The announcement was made by Legendary CEO Thomas Tull and Kevin Tsujihara, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros, following the success of their 2014 Godzilla reboot. While Legendary maintains its new home at Universal Pictures, the Godzilla films remain in partnership with Warner Bros, who will now also distribute Kong as a part of this franchise. Production on Kong: Skull Island begins on October 19th.
But Kong won’t be the only mega-monster to feature in the new franchise, shortly following Legendary’s pact with NBC Universal, Legendary acquired rights to additional classic characters from Toho’s Godzilla universe, including Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. This paved the way for developing a franchise centered around Monarch and anchored by Godzilla, King Kong, and other famous creatures. Monarch, the human organization that uncovered Godzilla in the 2014 film, will expand their mission across multiple releases.
“Audiences really responded to Godzilla,” stated Legendary CEO, Thomas Tull. “Today, I’m excited to reveal that film was only the beginning of an epic new entertainment universe. As a lifelong fan of these characters, I’ve always wanted to see the ultimate showdown, and today we’re pleased to be announcing that and more.”
“Working with our partners at Legendary, we enjoyed tremendous creative and commercial success with Godzilla,’” said Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Tsujihara. “It’s great to be able to revisit these characters and help create a franchise with so many creative possibilities for filmmakers. Fans love these big, globally iconic films and it doesn’t get any bigger than this.”
Kong: Skull Island stars Tom Hiddleston, Sam Jackson, Brie Larson, John Goodman, Tian Jing, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham, and Toby Kebbell. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and written by Max Borenstein, John Gatins, Dan Gilroy, and Derek Connolly, Kong: Skull Island will fully immerse audiences in the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island. Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce with Mary Parent. Alex Garcia and Eric McLeod will be executive producers. Warner Bros. will distribute the film in 3D and IMAX 3D on March 10, 2017.
Source: Legendary
