The Impact of Godzilla vs. Kong on the Franchise: Box Office Success or Pandemic Thwart?
With the release of the anime series Godzilla Singular Point days after the live-action film, the MonsterVerse is at a crossroads. Toho already has plans for a live-action cinematic universe, while Legendary#39;s journey with Godzilla may or may not come to an end with Godzilla vs. Kong. However, the franchise won#39;t be kaput due to box office performance.
Box Office Performance
There is a question about whether Godzilla vs. Kong will do well at the box office.
Warner Bros. has embraced the opportunity to boost HBO Max subscriptions. Even if the film brings in a fantastic box office haul, a noticeable increase in subscribers through HBO Max is likely to be more beneficial in the long run.
For me, a long-time Godzilla fan, the experience with watching Godzilla vs. Kong in the cinema seemed unappealing. Shows and prices got too high, especially with the advent of the covid boxes. I plan to wait for a video-on-demand (VOD) release or the home release before making my way to the theater.
Future of the Franchise
As far as the future of the franchise, there are several key factors to consider:
1. Sequels and Spin-offs
After the successful release of the first Godzilla, the MonsterVerse launched several films: Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Kong. However, there have been no announcements of any sequels or spin-offs beyond Godzilla vs. Kong. The most recent project is a Netflix-exclusive Kong anime, hinting towards the end of the series.
It remains to be seen if the MonsterVerse will continue or if this will be the final chapter. The confirmation of a leak suggests that Warner Bros. might be moving towards wrapping up the MonsterVerse.
Some sources at Warner Bros. have stated that the box office performance of Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla: King of the Monsters didn’t meet expectations. However, it wasn’t enough to cancel the MonsterVerse, leading to Godzilla vs. Kong potentially serving as a potential endpoint for the franchise.
According to rumor, the studio is planning one more film after Godzilla vs. Kong, with a possible focus on Kong.
2. Monster Universe Potential
Though there are many monsters in the MonsterVerse that haven#39;t been explored, the rights to Godzilla, Kong, Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra plus variants have already been secured. This suggests there isn#39;t much potential for many more monster-derived films unless new rights are acquired.
3. Fan Curiosity and Teasers
Despite the lack of official announcements, fans are still hopeful for future films or ongoing creative works. The current project could very well end with the current phases of the series, but a flood of teasers for a dozen other films akin to the fan phases still exists in fan speculation.
Conclusion
While the pandemic has affected the entertainment industry in numerous ways, the future of the MonsterVerse primarily depends on the decisions made by the studios. The success or failure of Godzilla vs. Kong may not be the decisive factor, as the path forward is more complex. The franchise could end, continue with a final eye-candy event, or sit on the sidelines until new rights or creative energies inspire a resurgence.
As fans wait for further announcements, the MonsterVerse remains an intriguing but uncertain entity in the landscape of monster cinema.