Modern audiences might not know a whole lot about the history of King Kong and Godzilla, with many current viewers of the Universal movies perhaps having recollections as far back as 1998’s Godzilla and its subsequent animated series. However, the battle between the colossal ape and nuclear reptile goes back to 1962 Japan, with King Kong vs. Godzilla being the first color and widescreen showing of the two characters.
The film was wildly successful in its homeland and, naturally, inspired US studios to create a very Americanised version the year after – also by Universal. Even now, we can see the enduring legacy of this hit film across media. Of course, there’s the record-breaking, superb Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – which was humorously advertised during screenings of Minus One – but you can also see the duo’s fingerprints beyond.
Inspirations for New Characters
King Kong, Godzilla, and this clash of titans have long formed the inspiration for several other characters and encounters to rise to the fore. The very premise of these well-known animals becoming gigantic and wreaking havoc offers action, adventure, and even likable characters, with both seen as anti-heroes in their own ways. Both can be seen as the inspiration for so many creations that have followed.
You won’t be hard-pressed to find yourself a hulking great ape character, with even the online casino platforms getting apes that are very similar to King Kong in their games. In Mighty Kong, you team up with the epic ape to try to win on the spin – but that’s just one of many Kong-inspired slots in the sea of games there. Helping the surge of such characters was actually a US court case.
In 1983, Nintendo Co., Ltd. Beat Universal City Studios, Inc. the Japanese gamemaker won against the American studio’s trademark infringement claim against Donkey Kong. Since then, giant apes have unequivocally been public domain. Godzilla is still owned by Toho, but that didn’t stop the rise of Gorgo in the UK, Reptilicus in Denmark, or even a real prehistoric animal, Dakosaurus, being nicknamed “Godzilla” initially.
A Huge Presence in Pop Culture
You’d find it exceedingly difficult to argue that the humungous fingerprints of King Kong and the hefty bite marks of Godzilla weren’t deeply and noticeably embedded in pop culture. Godzilla Minus One broke box office records beyond Japan for its $116 million haul despite being in Japanese. The film told a strong story and featured excellent creature design, and was fully deserving of its success.
On storytelling and filmmaking merit, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire didn’t deserve to get five times the box office of Minus One, but that just goes to show the constant draw of these two characters. It’s why the MonsterVerse series, featuring two Godzilla movies, one Kong movie, and two versus flicks, has made nearly $2.5 billion worldwide over its ten years at the box office.
For now, Godzilla and Kong are taking a bit of a break, but both Godzilla x Kong and Godzilla Minus One have follow up films in the works. When they return, the influence of these two legendary characters on pop culture will only grow.
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