‘Godzilla’ sequel gets ‘X-Men 2’ ‘Superman Returns’ writers, still set for 2019
While little has been known over the last couple of years, news now comes that writers Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields have been hired to writer the sequel to Godzilla.
Variety broke the news, adding that “Legendary might be preparing to set up a writers room to help create the upcoming Godzilla-King Kong universe the company has planned since sending the distribution rights for Kong: Skull Island back to Warner Bros. after originally setting pic up at Universal.”
That aligns with the rumors of adding monsters Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah.
The resume of Dougherty and Shields include Krampus, with Dougherty working on X-Men 2 and Superman Returns, but Collider noted that “his biggest claim to fame is writing and directing the beloved cult horror hit Trick ‘r Treat.”
Variety added:
In October 2015, Legendary and Warner Bros. made a joint announcement that all future “King Kong” and “Godzilla” films would be developed by Legendary and distributed by Warner Bros. starting with “Kong: Skull Island” next March. Legendary currently holds a distribution deal with Universal but in order to re-team “Godzilla” and “King Kong,” Legendary decided to send the rights back over to Warner Bros. in order to create this new “ecosystem” of giant super-species, both classic and new, as described in its original joint statement.
Director Gareth Edwards jumped over to the Star Wars franchise, but the delays on these monster films has been so great, maybe there is a long shot he’d return.
Godzilla 2 is currently set for March 22, 2019 with a Godzilla vs. Kong movie for May 29, 2020.