What's the origin behind Kong's Axe? Is there genuine backstory and Monsterverse history associated with the anti-Godzilla weapon seen in Godzilla vs. Kong? Writers and Director of the King of the Monsters sequel say yes!
In a recent interview with Collider, Godzilla vs. Kong writer Max Borenstein and director Adam Wingard discussed the importance and history of Kong's infamous Axe weapon and what its power source really is.
Wingard says yes, there is history to the Axe but he wished to keep some of its mythology less obvious in the film:
Yeah, it’s something that we just kind of tease at in the movie and hopefully we can explore in later films. But yeah, there is a real backstory behind it.
Borenstein elaborated by adding:
To me it’s like Godzilla’s scales have this conductive, radioactive quality and the primate Kongs had a kind of evolved civilization of sorts, as primates might, and simple tools and had used the spine of a Godzilla creature to create it. Presumably there are more like it, but it feels like the iconic scepter of the King.
What that tells us is yes, in an ancient time, Hollow Earth did see a great battle between the Kong and Godzilla species. But the temple, Axe and throne and absence of any Godzilla species seen in the Hollow Earth begs the question... did the Kong species win? Did they banish the Godzilla species to the surface? How would that explain the Kong society on Skull Island?
Obviously there are still MANY questions left unanswered and hopefully future Monsterverse movies will explore these mythologies in greater detail.
Adam Wingard chimed in again to say that he hopes there will be a Godzilla vs. Kong sequel, but that the outcome of this film will determine if this greater mythology is ever thoroughly explored:
I think the MonsterVerse is at a crossroads where audiences need to vote that they wanna see another one of these films before they continue, and I think that’s a really healthy thing… Let’s figure out what people really like about this movie, and then if we’re gonna make a sequel one way or the other, let’s figure out what that is based on what people like and don’t like.
Given Godzilla vs. Kong's current success and positive reception, it would appear fans and audiences around the world are indeed eager to see more of the Kong / Godzilla backstory and mythology that binds them together.
Would you like to know more about the ancient Kong vs. Godzilla rivalry and war? Would exploring an ancient Kong society be something of interest? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The next Hollywood Godzilla movie is officially called Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and will hit theaters on March 26th, 2027! Visit the GxK: Supernova page for more information, production updates and everything we know so far!
From Toho, Takashi Yamazaki is directing a sequel to Godzilla Minus One and is currently in development! The next film will act as a direct follow-up and will even include more Monsters! The Godzilla Minus One sequel page is tracking all information on Toho's next Godzilla movie as it becomes available, don't miss an update!
There is also the next season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on the way, as well as other spin-off Godzilla series in the works at Apple TV!
Furthermore, while not Godzilla related, Legendary have also teamed up with Amazon to produce a live-action Pacific Rim TV series, which is also currently in the works! So many Kaiju-sized projects in the works - check back often for new information on them all!
