Apple TV+ Godzilla Series - What We Know So Far
In the 2021 movie "Godzilla vs. Kong," audiences see Godzilla and King Kong fight multiple times and combine forces to defeat Mechagodzilla before ultimately calling for peace and going their separate ways. It looks like Legendary Entertainment has major plans for Godzilla and the rest of the Titans featured in the MonsterVerse; according to Variety, Apple ordered a live-action Godzilla series back in January 2022 that seeks to continue the plotlines established in the franchise so far.
The series appears to serve as part of a three-pronged approach to the future of the MonsterVerse. Deadline recently reported that Dan Stevens had signed on to star in the sequel to "Godzilla vs. Kong," directed again by Adam Wingard, which is reportedly expected to film in the summer of 2022. While Legendary is working with Apple on the "Godzilla" live-action series, the studio is also working on a Skull Island-themed anime series (via Deadline). As the MonsterVerse continues to expand and the "Godzilla" series adds new faces to its production team, here is what we know so far about the live-action "Godzilla" series in development for Apple TV+.
What is the plot of the Apple TV+ Godzilla series?
According to Variety, the Apple TV+ "Godzilla" series will continue the storyline of the MonsterVerse, though it seems it might serve as more of a direct sequel to 2014's "Godzilla" and 2019's "Godzilla: King of the Monsters." The synopsis of the series as described by Variety says the MonsterVerse series promises to follow one family's path toward uncovering their own links toward Monarch, the organization seen studying and occasionally fighting Godzilla, Kong, and the other Titans throughout the MonsterVerse movies so far. Although many of the series' principal human characters so far either work for Monarch or are related to the organization, it does not appear that Dr. Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgård), Madison Russell (Millie Bobbie Brown), Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall), or Dr. Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) will appear in the upcoming series.
While Legendary and Apple have not yet made any casting announcements for the show, it seems the series will introduce new characters who have not yet interacted with the titans or Monarch in the four MonsterVerse movies so far. Just wait until they hear about Hollow Earth.
Who is producing the Apple TV+ Godzilla series?
According to Variety, Matt Shakman has signed on to work as an executive producer on the untitled "Godzilla" series. Shakman, who most recently directed and executive produced the Marvel Studios Disney+ series "WandaVision," will also reportedly direct the first two episodes of the new Godzilla show. The series is teeming with other creatives associated with recent streaming hits; it's co-created by Chris Black, who was a producer on Apple TV+'s 2022 hit "Severance," and Matt Fraction, who served as a consultant on the Marvel Studios "Hawkeye" miniseries on Disney+ (via The Ringer). Joby Harold will also reportedly executive produce the unnamed "Godzilla" series; he is the screenwriter and showrunner for the upcoming Disney+ "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series.
That's quite the lineup of heavy hitters on the production team for the new "Godzilla" show. MonsterVerse fans not familiar with Marvel Studios and Lucasfilms' forays into streaming will also recognize Shakman from practically anywhere else in the television space. According to IMDb, he has directed episodes of everything from FX's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" to "Game of Thrones" and "Succession" for HBO. In addition to the upcoming "Godzilla" series, Shakman is also directing the next "Star Trek" movie (via Deadline).