A new trailer has been released for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The next entry into the Monsterverse, it is the first Hollywood Godzilla movie since 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is set for release on March 29, and features a cast led by Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Rachel House.
The trailer for Godzilla x Kong shows the first look at the new design for Godzilla. Director Adam Wingard, who also directed Godzilla vs. Kong, stated that he wanted to change the design of the kaiju monster. For the 2021 movie, Wingard wanted to maintain the “continuity” from the previous installment, but in the next version, he wanted to make it his own. This included “try[ing] different colors” for the spines of Godzilla, an effort which is evident in the trailer.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is releasing at an interesting time given its relative proximity to the debut of Godzilla Minus One. Contrary to misconception, Godzilla x Kong and Godzilla Minus One are not part of the same franchise; the former film is part of the Hollywood Monsterverse and separate from the Japanese arm of the franchise. Nonetheless, Godzilla Minus One’s glowing reviews could be a daunting act to follow as Godzilla x Kong makes its own attempt at a blockbuster monster movie.
That said, Toho’s Godzilla Minus One could also be a win for Warner Bros. in that it provides brand awareness to any Godzilla-related franchise content. Godzilla Minus One gained significant traction in the United States, and its visibility is only increased by its recent Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. The unsuspecting eye will not delineate between the franchises, and thus Godzilla Minus One’s success could help elevate Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as it prepares for its release next month.
