A Synopsis of GODZILLA x KONG: The New Empire

Movies
Written By Vincent L. Smith

written by Vincent Smith & Michael Lee

*All Media in this article is courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

GODZILLA x KONG: The New Empire was released on March 31, 2024 by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film, starring Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and more amassed an astounding $80 million domestically on its opening weekend. If you’re a fan of the Godzilla franchise, you’re in the right place because this blog will take you into the latest film with the official trailers, the plot synopsis, a cast overview and a breakdown of how the film was received across major media channels. Before we dive in, let’s start with the official trailer.

GODZILLA x KONG: The New Empire Movie Trailer

Video Via Warner Bros. Pictures

Film Synopsis

Only a few years after defeating Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong, King Kong begins his treacherous reign in the newfound territory now known as Hollow Earth, a location that has been teased all the back in Kong: Skull Island. While Kong has his grip on Hollow Earth, back on our Earth, we learn that Godzilla continues to keep the peace between humanity and the rest of the Monsterverse, also known in-universe as the legendary Titans. We come to learn that Godzilla has finally defeated Scylla in Italy and now rests himself in the infamous Colosseum, awaiting further instruction.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire | Official Teaser | Video Via Warner Bros. Pictures

Back on Hollow Earth, a Monarch Observation Outpost picks up on some mysterious signal which causes Jia, the last living survivor of the Iwi tribe we saw in Kong: Skull Island, to experience wild hallucinations, which concerns her adoptive mother Dr. Illene Andrews. Jia isn’t the only person to perceive the signal- Godzilla hears it too. He quickly leaves Rome only to attack a nuclear power plant somewhere in France, seemingly to absorb the radiation. He leaves France just as fast as he came, traveling to the Arctic to hideout again, laying latent. The MO (Monarch Observation) believes that Godzilla is preparing for an oncoming threat, using the latent nuclear radiation as energy.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire | Official Trailer 2

Video Via Warner Bros. Pictures

A sinkhole opens up on Hollow Earth, seemingly out of nowhere. Kong goes to investigate and discovers a totally uncharted region of Hollow Earth, which happens to house a tribe of his own species. It is here we met Suko, a young Kaiju. Kong forces Suko to lead him to the tribe’s lair and we begin to see them bond, with Kong acting somewhat of a father figure for Suko. Suko does finally lead Kong to his lair, though Kong is met with the Skar King, the fiercely tyrannical leader. The two battle and Skar King has the aid of an ancient Titan Shimo, seemingly powered by ice, in which the Skar King controls said ice power with a crystal. Kong is badly injured from Shimo’s icy breath, but he manages to escape with the help of Suko.

Dr. Andrews begins to worry that her adopted daughter Jia might leave her for her own tribe. While in the temple, Andrews stumbles upon some kind of script, almost like hieroglyphics, detailing the past and future of the Titans and the Monsterverse. Andrews learns that the Skar King once attempted to conquer the Earth and waged a fierce war on Godzilla’s species, though Godzilla conquered the Skar King and banished him and his tribe deep within the Hollow Earth. Andrews recognizes Jia within the illustrations, seemingly reawakening Mothra. Kong has sensed Jia’s presence and arrives at the temple and is aided with an armored glove to treat his injured arm.

Back in the Arctic, Godzilla defeats Tiamat to absorb further radiation from her lair, which awakens his dorsal spines glowing pink and magenta. Kong hopes to lure Godzilla to Hollow Earth by surfacing in Egypt to call to him. Though Godzilla attacks him and the two engage in a deathly battle until Mothra arrives and convinces Godzilla to provide Kong with aid.

The three of them; Godzilla, Kong, and Mothra now take on the Skar King along with Shimo and the Skar King’s fierce tribe. Their fight drags on from Egypt to Rio de Janeiro while Shimo begins to induce another Ice Age under the Skar King's command. Suko joins the trio and destroys the crystal that the Skar King uses to control Shimo, which in turn, frees him. Shimo, now liberated, joins Kong, Godzilla, Mothra, and Suko, and they all together destroy the Skar King.

Godzilla finally unleashes all of his pent up atomic breath to reverse Shimo’s Ice Age and returns back to the Colosseum to rest. Mothra has repaired the protective barrier that guards Iwi’s home while Shimo, Suko, and Kong all return to Hollow Earth and Kong is named King and the screen fades to black.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - Starring Cast Breakdown

Now, let’s take a look at the official main cast of the film. For those interested in a detailed breakdown of the cast and crew, visit the film’s IMDB page here.

Dan Stevens - “Trapper”

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America via IMDB

Rebecca Hall - ‘Ilene Anderews’

Photo by Mike Coppola - © 2011 Getty Images via IMDB

Brian Tyree Henry - ‘Bernie Hayes’

Photo via IMDB

Kaylee Hottle - ‘Jia’

Photo by Dharmesh Bhakta via IMDB

Fala Chen - ‘Iwi Queen’

Photo via IMDB

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - In The Media

As expected for a franchise as big as this, people had a lot of opinions about the latest installment. Check out how major media outlets covered the rease of Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.

Final Thoughts

As discussed, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" garnered an $80 million domestic opening, illustrating strong audience interest. Starring Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, and Brian Tyree Henry, the film adds to the MonsterVerse, blending elements of Hollow Earth with new and returning characters. Despite mixed critical reviews, focusing on its use of CGI and narrative elements, the film's box office performance indicates a positive reception among its intended demographic. This entry contributes to the ongoing narrative and universe-building of the franchise, marked by its commercial success. For more information on the latest film releases, be sure to visit our movie blog!

Vincent L. Smith https://www.vincentleesmith.com
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