Exploring the Latest Attempts to Create a Cinematic Universe: The Monsterverse and Beyond

While the concept of a cinematic universe dominated by a shared cast of characters has been most prominently associated with Marvel Studios, the idea has also gained traction in other realms of the entertainment industry. Movies such as Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit series share similarities with a cohesive universe, especially when considering the ongoing TV adaptations, live-action films, books, and comics. However, the most recent attempts to replicate the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have been the Monsterverse, a joint project from Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros.

From Godzilla to the Monsterverse

The Monsterverse began with the 2014 Godzilla, setting the stage for a series of monster-centric films. Following its success, the studio brought in the 2017 Kong: Skull Island, which not only featured King Kong but also introduced a new range of creatures. The 2019 Godzilla King of the Monsters further expanded the Monsterverse, bringing the iconic Godzilla to the forefront. For 2022, Warner Bros and Legendary have lined up Kong vs. Godzilla, pitting the two titanic monsters against each other in a battle of epic proportions.

Expanding the Monsterverse

The recent string of Monsterverse films has revealed a much larger universe than initially anticipated. Rampage (2018), a film about gigantic and powerful primates, showed potential for crossover with the Monsterverse. Similarly, the 2017 film Pacific Rim: Uranium Wars tackled the issue of Kaiju (giant alien monsters) invading the world, setting up the possibility for a shared universe. The future looks even more intriguing with the inclusion of the Gundam project, a collaboration between Legendary and Warner Bros. This project, tentatively titled Gundam:zing, aims to tie into both the Monsterverse and the Pacific Rim franchise, given that the latter referenced Gundam in its recent sequel.

Ownership and Future Directions

The structure of the Monsterverse is complex, with various studios holding rights to different monsters. While King Kong is in flux, most agree that the RKO original film and subsequent owned rights are under the control of Warner Bros through Turner Entertainment. Similarly, ownership of other Kaiju is predominantly held by Toho, with the exception of King Kong.

The future of the Monsterverse is uncertain but wide-ranging. The inclusion of Gundam signals a major expansion, and the potential for more monster-centric films suggests a vibrant future for the franchise. However, the path to creating a cohesive universe filled with interconnected adventures and epic battles remains to be seen. The collaboration between studios, shared world-building, and the integration of multiple franchises promise an exciting era in cinematic entertainment.

Stay tuned as the Monsterverse continues to evolve, and follow the adventures of theseOnInited monsters in their journey to build the ultimate cinematic universe.