Jack O’Connell from “Unbroken” Joins Kaitlyn Dever and Kaiju Dentist Dan Stevens in the Upcoming Godzilla x Kong Movie

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” has followed in the roaring success of “Godzilla vs. Kong” from last year, raking in a whopping $571 million against its well-calculated $135 million budget. This blockbuster managed to win over most moviegoers, despite what the critics had to say. With such a resounding success on their hands, Legendary and Warner Bros. didn’t waste time in greenlighting a new sequel, and the casting call is already bringing in some big names.

Director Grant Sputore, known for his work on “I Am Mother,” joined the project this June. Rumor has it that this new chapter will shine some light back on the human characters—a tactic that hasn’t always been a hit before. But with Toho’s “Godzilla Minus One” making waves in 2023 and 2024, along with the Apple TV+ series Monarch striking gold by focusing on human stories, perhaps the audience is ready to dig deeper into these characters. Of course, the success of this approach hinges on the script by Dave Callaham, who’s had a hand in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

In exciting casting news from Deadline, Jack O’Connell, known for roles in “Unbroken” and “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” has been announced as the latest addition to the lineup. He joins a cast featuring Kaitlyn Dever, a key player in “The Last of Us” Season 2, and Dan Stevens, a veteran of the previous installment. Stevens resumes his collaboration with director Adam Wingard and co-writer Simon Barrett, whom he had previously worked with on “The Guest” (2014). His return suggests he’s satisfied with both his role and the accompanying paycheck.

Details about the storyline are guarded as fiercely as secrets in Hollow Earth. However, insiders hint that (spoilers for “Godzilla x Kong” ahead) we’ll likely see Kong finally achieving his status as a king, leading members of his species and forming alliances with other kaiju. Godzilla, on the other hand, will probably continue defending the surface world, with his protection tactics likely wreaking havoc on countless towns and cities. Warner and Legendary have tantalizingly described the threequel as an ‘event film’ reminiscent of GvK and GxK, so gear up for another epic crossover clash.

Over the next few weeks and months, we’ll be hearing more about the casting, and it’s safe to assume Dan Stevens won’t be the only familiar face returning. They’re aiming to kick off production in 2025, eyeing a distant release date of March 26, 2027. Say what you will, but it looks like Legendary is pulling out all the stops to ensure this franchise receives the TLC it deserves.