Olivia Reed
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the franchise being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Prepare yourselves, because the monsters are about to unleash chaos upon us. But here’s the thing, the monsters were already lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike. Apple TV’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters just dropped its first teaser, and it promises a thrilling tale that spans decades, filled with government cover-ups, classified documents, redemption-seeking individuals, and of course, some seriously awesome kaiju-related visuals. Surprisingly, everything showcased here looks absolutely mind-blowing.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is the brainchild of Chris Black (Severance) and Matt Fraction (Hawkeye), which should be reason enough to mark your calendars for this one. The first two episodes are helmed by the brilliant Matt Shakman, who brought us the captivating WandaVision. And let’s not forget about the incredible cast, featuring the talented Kurt and Wyatt Russell (playing the same character), Anna Sawai (Pachinko), Kiersey Clemons (The Flash), Joe Tippett (Mare of Easttown), Elisa Lasowski, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, and Anders Holm. Oh, and guess what? This teaser also confirms the involvement of a key character from Kong: Skull Island: the legendary John Goodman as Bill Randa! It’s always a delight to see John Goodman grace our screens.
Now, don’t get too excited just yet. Although we have a fresh glimpse into the series, Apple TV is keeping the synopsis under wraps. But fear not, here’s what we know so far:
After the earth-shattering clash between Godzilla and the Titans that left San Francisco in ruins and revealed the existence of these monstrous creatures, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters follows two siblings as they follow in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s ties to the secretive organization known as Monarch. Clues lead them into the treacherous world of monsters, ultimately plunging them into the depths of Army officer Lee Shaw’s story (played by the dynamic duo Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell). The narrative unfolds in the 1950s and then jumps forward half a century, where Monarch faces a grave threat due to Shaw’s knowledge. Brace yourselves for a dramatic saga that spans three generations, unearthing long-buried secrets and exploring the profound impact of cataclysmic events on our lives.
Get ready to be captivated by this thrilling series, as it is part of Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse. This universe began with the awe-inspiring Godzilla in 2014 and continues to expand with this highly anticipated series and next year’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Just a heads up, though, this year’s Godzilla Minus One is an entirely separate entity, despite the presence of rampaging monsters. (Toho, the rights holder of Godzilla, licenses the iconic creature to Legendary.)
Mark your calendars for the grand premiere of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Friday, November 17th. And remember, new episodes will be released weekly, so you won’t want to miss a single moment of this epic adventure.
