“Kong x Godzilla” Observation Lists “Shang Chi” Author Dave Callaham Will Compose
Legendary has selected the action-savvy writer to compose the next entry in their Godzilla/Kong monster movie franchise.
The hire follows Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’s successful box office run, which has brought in around $555 million globally. With a peak collection of $568 million, Kong: Skull Island from 2017 had the greatest haul to date. Considering that Empire, the fifth film in the series, only cost $135 million, it might be the most profitable—if not the most profitable—of the five films currently showing in theaters. Legendary is hence eager to maintain the monster energy.
Along with Terry Rossio and frequent partner Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard wrote the screenplay and directed Empire. Legendary has indicated that, following a successful stint that featured the 2021 release Godzilla vs. Kong, it would like to see Wingard return to the director’s chair. However, Wingard is now without a deal. To make matters more complicated, the director intends to focus on Onslaught, an original feature, which will premiere this fall on A24, before moving on to other projects.
Nevertheless, Callaham is somewhat knowledgeable about Godzilla. The writer contributed to the initial draughts of Godzilla (2014), the film that ignited Legendary Pictures’ obsession with monsters, and was given story credit. The box office total for the firm’s five films is $2.5 billion worldwide, and with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, it made its TV debut last year, the company continued to grow. Due to the show’s success on Apple TV+, a second season and spinoffs are currently in development.
Callaham is credited with creating the action brand The Expendables and contributing to Wonder Woman 1984 and the Mortal Kombat revival from 2021. He was praised for co-writing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which won the best animated film Oscar, and Marvel’s highly appreciated 2021 entry Shang-Chi. Callaham is presently working with Phil Lord and Chris Miller to write Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the third and final movie in the series.
