Godzilla is one of the most adapted characters in television, with dozens of films since its creation in 1954. With the current MonsterVerse thriving, Apple TV is reportedly banking on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
The MonsterVerse kicked off in 2014 with Godzilla, and several films followed. In 2023, it received two TV series, the animated Skull Island and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Per a new report by Nexus Point News, Apple TV has allegedly greenlit a Monarch: Legacy of Monsters prequel series that would bring back Wyatt Russell as a younger Lee Shaw.
Apple TV has yet to confirm the report, but the outlet claims the upcoming prequel is set during the Cold War and grapples with tensions between the United States and Russia in a world of monsters.
Joby Harold (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Army of the Dead) reportedly serves as the prequel series’ showrunner and will executive produce with his wife and producing partner Tory Tunnell. Russell will also executive produce the show. It’s expected to start production next summer in Prague, Czech Republic.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 1 took place one year after the events of 2014’s Godzilla, where the world found out monsters are real. The Apple TV show follows the monster-tracking organization Monarch, as well as its origins, as two half-siblings, Cate and Kentaro Randa, follow in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch. The show switches between two alternate timelines in the 1950s and 2015.
Legendary’s MonsterVerse Keeps Growing
Diyah Pera /©Apple TV+ /Courtesy Everett Collection
Apple TV confirmed earlier this month that Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will return for Season 2 early next year. The show had already been greenlit for a new entry and set a release date for Feb. 27, 2026. Aside from the show, which officially brings back Kurt Russell and his son, Wyatt, as Army officer Lee Show, the creature franchise continues.
As for feature films, the popular character will return. After the 2014 film’s success, the franchise continued in 2017 with Kong: Skull Island and 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Two years later, 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong put the two creatures face to face, a story further explored in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
The MonsterVerse continues as, besides Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2, the universe will continue with Godzilla x Kong: Supernova. The film is slated to premiere on Mar. 26, 2027, and will bring back Dan Stevens as Trapper Beasley, and introduces Kaitlyn Dever, Jack O’Connell, Matthew Modine, Delroy Lindo, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Sam Neill.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters returns on Feb. 27, 2026.
Release Date
November 16, 2023
Network
Apple TV+
Showrunner
Chris Black, Matt Fraction
