King Kong, a massive gorilla, first graced theaters in 1933, while Godzilla, a gargantuan lizard, made its debut more than two decades later in 1954. Their enduring popularity is a testament to the horror they evoke.
The names of certain monsters and creatures are enough to send shivers down one’s spine, but none more so than the kings of them all, Godzilla and King Kong. These two legendary super-creatures have been a part of the cinematic universe for decades.
The New Empire Will Be a Monster at the Box Office
King Kong’s origin story can be traced back to explorer, adventurer, reporter, and aviator Merian C. Cooper. During an exploratory mission, Cooper’s friend Barden discovered a gigantic lizard on Komodo Island, which sparked Cooper’s imagination. He envisioned a gigantic gorilla in conflict with prehistoric reptiles, brought to America, and making a stand atop the Empire State Building. This imaginative conception led to the birth of King Kong, whose massive entrance set the stage for the epic match-up with Godzilla.
Godzilla, on the other hand, was born out of rubble and ashes, mental dustings that were the leftovers of disaster and fear. Its appearance on the big screen is said to be related to nuclear fallout. Godzilla was intentionally designed to embody the destructive force of an atomic bomb, with even its hideous, scaly integument resembling survivors’ unsightly keloid scars. Its looming height of 355 feet made it a most loathsome monster.
The match-up between King Kong and Godzilla was written in the stars, and the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong finally brought it to life. This sequel to the film Skull Island performed exceptionally well, becoming the biggest-grossing MonsterVerse movie ever in China. The sequel, Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire, is currently in the works and has the potential to be a monster success at the 2024 box office.
Creature features draw crowds to movies that don’t necessarily qualify as blockbusters, and with built-in fan bases for King Kong and Godzilla, it’s unlikely that the film will flop. Additionally, the success of the predecessor film Godzilla vs. Kong and the potential success of the upcoming film could highlight the overwhelming marketability and desire for re-creating and elevating major monster pairings. The film’s potential success could even usher in a new trend in cinema, drumming up excitement for audiences.
The trailer for Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire teases the appearance of Godzillasaurus, a terrifying Titan that will require both Kong and Godzilla to ally. Given all these factors, it’s safe to say that the film has impressive potential to score big at the box office. Fans of these iconic monsters will have to wait until March 15, 2024, to see what lies in store for them.
The names of some monsters and creatures rattle the bones, but then there are Godzilla and King Kong, the kings of them all. Godzilla and King Kong’s presence in the cinematic universe date back decades.
King Kong (a massive gorilla) was introduced in theaters in 1933. Godzilla (a gargantuan lizard) was introduced more than two decades later, in 1954. They are perhaps the most well-known super-creatures to exist and remain legends because of the horror they invoke.
King Kong
King Kong’s presence in the cinematic space pre-dates Godzilla. But both have origin ties. King Kong is said to be the creative progeny of an explorer, an adventurer, a reporter, and an aviator, Merian C. Cooper. His existence is bought about by a most imaginative conception.
King Kong was surmised during an exploratory observance. Cooper’s friend (Barden) discovered a most intriguing discovery on Komodo Island. His find was a gigantic lizard many reasoned was no longer in existence. The marriage of Barden’s interest in lizards and Cooper’s interest in primates led to the birth of King Kong. According to an article in the Library of Congress,
“Cooper imagined a gigantic gorilla in conflict with prehistoric reptiles. He envisioned the ape brought to America, escaping, and making a stand atop the Empire State Building.”
Like magic, ‘Ta Da!’ was the backdrop for King Kong’s massive entrance set and the subtle poising of the epic match-up between Kong and Godzilla.
Godzilla
King Kong’s origin set the stage for a potential head-to-head. Godzilla’s stand-alone account of creation was a little more macabre. Godzilla was formed out of rubble and ashes, mental dustings that were the leftovers of disaster and fear. The appearance of Godzilla on the big screen is said to be related to nuclear fallout.
As Business Insider notes“In 1954, at the height of fear and panic (post-fall-out) eight months after the incident, the original “Gojira” arrived at the theaters.” It was absolutely horrifying. In fact, Godzilla’s creator Ishiro Honda, once remarked that every bit of nightmare built into the giant lizard was intentional.
It was the embodiment of the destructive force of an atomic bomb. Most interestingly, even the hideous yet scaly integument was a reminder of the victims of the fallout. As Business Insider notes, its skin was made to resemble survivors’ unsightly keloid scars. Godzilla was a most loathsome monster at a looming height of 355 feet.
Kong vs. Godzilla: Destined Match-Up
Looking at history, it’s easy to see why such a match-up was written in the stars. Nevertheless, many fans were surprised when the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong finally depicted the ultimate match-up. Godzilla vs. Kong was not a stand-alone feature but a sequel to the film Skull Island. And while not necessarily unprecedented, this sequel performed exceptionally better than expected and bolstered the cinematic MonsterVerse.
The feature was so successful. It’s the biggest-grossing MonsterVerse movie ever in China. Those hungry for more were more than eager when the sequel Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire was said to be in the works. Rightly so, there is so much that underlies a forecast of mind-blowing success for this upcoming feature. Here are a few reasons why Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire has the potential to be a monster success at the 2024 box office.
Legendary Monsters are Big Ticket Draws
Moviegoers love monsters; the bigger, the better. And King Kong and Godzilla are classic icons. Their massive fandom abroad and domestically speaks volumes. And features benefit greatly from built-in fan bases. So, it’s unlikely the film will flop based on that component. One more salient point to make adds to the probable success ahead. Creature features draw crowds to movies that don’t qualify as blockbusters. Not to mention this film has something extra to entice a potentially massive crowd. What is that? It follows a win.
Godzilla vs. Kong the Predecessor: A Huge Win
Admittedly, the initial introduction of Godzilla vs. King Kong in a match-up fulfilled many latent fantasies. For years, fans have wanted to see how their favorite would fare in an epic meet-up, one for the modern age. However, fan-desired match-ups rarely get featured in movies, especially in the science-fiction/ horror genre. Freddy vs. Jason and Alien vs. Predator is perhaps the most well-known in modern times.
But the Godzilla vs. Kong film did not disappoint, at least not in fulfilling a fan’s dream. However, the conclusion left much to be desired. No one likes an unfinished story, especially one monumental in nature. Combined, the two elements serve as a powerful foundation for another phenomenal reception.
Undoubtedly, there is much trepidation in the future, as many hope the story is given the finesse it deserves. But if the creative team manages to strike the right tone, the potential of what it could be is enough to underscore the potential for monster success.
Of additional note, with a successful predecessor and the potential success of this film, the result could highlight the overwhelming marketability and desire for re-creating and elevating major monster pairings. This is something audiences could look forward to. Because of the film’s potential success, moviegoers may see a new trend in cinema, which will surely drum up excitement.
Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire (There’s a New Big Bad)
While the 2021 film featured a head-to-head against the monstrous creatures, those who watched know it didn’t stay that way throughout the movie. But according to many info drops, there is something way more menacing out there, a terrifying Titan. Both (Kong and Godzilla) will inevitably need to ally. The trailer gives a look at Godzillasaurus! And one can only imagine what that means. This makes for good entertainment and a big draw.
Given all these factors, Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire has impressive potential to score big at the box office. But there is, of course, more time to experience the build-up. Godzilla and Kong are headed to theaters on March 15, 2024.
