Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, the studios behind 2014's smash hit "Godzilla," are joining forces for "Godzilla vs. Kong," a giant monster franchise that will include an epic battle between of the beasts, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The studios confirmed the release in a joint press release Wednesday after months of speculation. "All-powerful monsters become towering heroes for a new generation, revealing a mythology that brings together Godzilla and Legendary's King Kong in an ecosystem of other giant super-species, both classic and new. Monarch, the human organization that uncovered Godzilla in the 2014 film, will expand their mission across multiple releases," the press release reads.
The initial triad of releases includes "Kong: Skull Island," which hits theaters on March 10, 2017, "Godzilla 2," which arrives on June 8, 2018, and then the unification "Godzilla vs, Kong," which is slated for release in 2020.
"Audiences really responded to Godzilla," said Legendary CEO Thomas Tull, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Today, I'm excited to reveal that film was only the beginning of an epic new entertainment universe. As a lifelong fan of these characters, I've always wanted to see the ultimate showdown, and today we're pleased to be announcing that and more."
"Kong: Skull Island," which stars Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John Goodman, Tian Jing, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham and Toby Kebbell, begins production on Oct. 19.
