Director Michael Dougherty sat down with SFX Magazine to discuss Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters and his contributions towards its sequel, Godzilla vs. Kong which arrives next year. Dougherty specifically discusses writing for both Godzilla and Kong, building up for the exciting culmination of the Monsterverse quadrilogy.
SFX: So How Are They Different?
Mike Dougherty: Because Kong is a little close to human - he's a primate, as we are - he's allowed to show a slightly larger range of emotions.
We expect those very unique, and even warm, bonding moments between Kong and human beings. That goes back to the 1933 film, where he was never strictly a monster; there was always a very human side to him in the ways that he interacts with us. That was a joy to write. With Godzilla, that's not expected.
That's not to say that you can't do it, but any kind of bond between Godzilla and humans has usually been more implied. So you rarely get to see Godzilla's softer side.
Where as with Kong, it's an essential part of the character. If you ever made a Kong film, where you didn't get to see the softer side of the character, it would fall short.
Thanks to our friends at Gormaru Island, we also have scans of the SFX issue which contains this interview and more! Check them out:
More to explore from the Monsterverse:
- About Godzilla x Kong: Supernova
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova forum
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova Image Gallery
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2
- Spin-off Godzilla series
Godzilla x Kong: Supernova will hit theaters on March 26th, 2027!
More to explore from Toho:
- Godzilla Minus One sequel now in development!