The Monsterverse is a cinematic universe that centers on Godzilla, King Kong, and several other monsters like Rodan, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla. They’re new adaptations of the Godzilla mythos, focusing on Earth’s relationship with the Titans. One constant between all the films is the secretive organization called Monarch, which has been investigating the Titans for decades, and will be the subject of the upcoming ten-episode Apple TV+ series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Here, we round up everything you need to know about it, including the cast and characters you can look forward to seeing.
The universe consists of four different films: Godzilla (2014) Kong: Skull Island (2017) Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). These four films detail the conflict between Godzilla and King Kong, and how they eventually allied to beat Mechagodzilla, which was created by Apex Cybernetics with Ghidorah’s skull.
There are currently two future projects in the Monsterverse. A fifth film in the franchise, titled Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, is set for release in 2024. It will see Godzilla and Kong reunite to fight a new threat to both humans and Titans.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will be set in 2015 and the 1950s, following a new cast of characters as they uncover the secret organization Monarch, and their role in the Godzilla attack. Monarch has featured in the other Monsterverse projects, with several previous characters working for the shadowy group. This show will be the best look at the organization yet, and will no doubt be an important watch, adding to existing lore and hinting at the path that future Monsterverse projects will take.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Cast and Characters Breakdown
Kurt and Wyatt Russell as Lee Shaw
One of the important characters in the show is Lee Shaw, an Army officer who knows important secrets about Monarch. What he knows about the secretive organization has the potential to be incredibly damaging to them, so they’ll no doubt be targeting him so he stays quiet. He’ll be key to helping the new characters on their quest, and uncover what’s happening in the world.
Both Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell will play Shaw, as the show will take place during 2015 and flashbacks to the 1950s. This avoids the excessive use of CGI to de-age Kurt Russell and has both father and son play the same character in the show.
Kurt Russell has appeared in plenty of films and shows and is best known for his action dramas. He’s also had appearances in several Disney films. Wyatt Russell, Kurt’s son, has also appeared in several films and shows, like 22 Jump Street and Overlord. Both actors have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; Kurt played Ego the Living Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. and Wyatt Russell played John Walker aka US Agent in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Anna Sawai as Cate Randa
A former schoolteacher, Cate Randa (Anna Sawai) is related to Bill Randa. In the show’s 2015 timeline, Cate traveled to Tokyo after the Godzilla attack in San Fransico, which has traumatized the world. Cate’s father was lost during the incident, and so Cate is in Tokyo to settle his affairs.
However, when she arrives in Tokyo, things aren’t as simple as they seem. Cate stumbles on an organization called Monarch, which her father was investigating or even potentially working for. She also finds that she has a half-brother.
Anna Sawai has appeared in the Fast and Furious franchise as Elle, the adopted daughter of Han Seoul-Oh (Sung Kang).
John Goodman as Bill Randa
Bill Randa (John Goodman), appears as a Monarch operative in the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island. He served on the USS Lawton during the Second World War, which was destroyed by a sea titan in 1943. After the incident, Bill spent his time as a researcher for Monarch, until 1973, when he was sent with others to investigate Skull Island.
Unfortunately, Bill met his death on the island. When he was taking pictures of the grave of Kong’s parents, he was devoured by a Skullcrawler. In Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, he’s on an island being chased by a monster, which then does battle with another monster He’s carrying a satchel of confidential information about Monarch, which he throws into the sea. A group of Japanese sailors found it in 2013. This will no doubt be vital to uncovering what’s going on.
John Goodman has appeared in films like The Big Lebowski and 10 Cloverfield Lane.
Anders Holm will play a younger version of the character in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, as it will flashback to the past. Anders Holm has appeared in films and shows like Workaholics on Comedy Central and Game Over, Man!.
Ren Watabe as Kentaro
Kentaro (Ren Watabe) is an intelligent young man, who’s yet to find his path in the world. His natural and creative curiosity will come in handy when he’s thrust on a quest to find more about his revered but mysterious father, where Kentaro will discover more about his talents and how he can use them. While this quest is full of danger, Kentaro will come into his own during the perilous journey.
Kiersey Clemons as May
A freelance coder and American ex-pat, May (Kiersey Clemons) helps Cate and her half-brother uncover the files about Monarch they’ve stumbled upon. These files contain information about the company dating back several decades and are highly secretive. She’s got a tough exterior she uses to protect herself and others, and is highly intelligent. No matter what she’s doing, whether it’s deciphering code or finding a loophole, she’s always three steps ahead of everyone else.
Kiersey Clemons is known for appearing in films like Dope and The Flash.
