New ‘Monarch’ Prequel Digs Into Cold War Monsterverse Chaos

The MonsterVerse from Legendary Pictures is preparing for another expansion. A new prequel series has been set in motion for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, continuing the franchise that started with 2014’s Godzilla and 2017’s Kong: Skull Island. Both films helped launch a line of connected movies and television projects based on the iconic giant creatures.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters follows events after the 2014 film, with Kurt Russell starring as Lee Shaw. The show’s storytelling includes two timelines, featuring Wyatt Russell as a younger version of his father’s character. While monsters like Godzilla appear throughout the series, the show draws much of its strength from its human storylines. The second season of the Apple TV+ series is scheduled to premiere in February.

According to Nexus Point News, Apple TV+ has approved a prequel show featuring Wyatt Russell returning as Lee Shaw. The new series will reportedly be set during the Cold War, exploring how Shaw and the monsters fit into the tensions between the United States and Russia. A title for the project has not yet been announced.

Joby Harold, who worked on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, will act as showrunner. He and his wife, Tory Tunnell, will also serve as executive producers. Both were involved in the original Monarch series, giving them experience with the franchise.

The spinoff remains in early development, with more details expected after the current season of Monarch airs. The first season ended with a major plot shift, creating expectations for how the story will move forward. How the prequel will connect to the main series has not yet been revealed, though critics and fans praised the original for its focus on character drama over spectacle.

Meanwhile, the MonsterVerse continues on the big screen. The next movie, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, is scheduled for release in 2027 as a sequel to 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The new film will reunite the two giant monsters, though the main threat has not been confirmed. Reports suggest that SpaceGodzilla could be the next villain, but the studio has not officially commented. MechaGodzilla appeared in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, so another classic creature returning would not be surprising.

With another film in production and new shows in development, the MonsterVerse appears set to maintain its pace. If the Monarch prequel succeeds, Legendary’s universe of monsters could continue to expand across both theaters and streaming platforms.

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