And now, it has proved successful enough that the company has commissioned a spin-off, one that will revolve around Colonel Lee Shaw, the character played in his younger days by Wyatt Russell.
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The new series doesn’t yet have a title, but we do wonder if this means there won’t be any opportunity for the older version of Shaw –– played by Russell’s father, Kurt Russell –– to show up.
What’s the story of the new ‘Monarch’ spin-off series?
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
The show will focus on Russell’s Colonel Shaw, an American operative who in 1984 went on a secret mission behind enemy lines in an attempt to stop the Soviets from unleashing a horrific new Titan big enough to destroy the U.S. and turn the tide of the Cold War.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Spin-off: the showrunner and studio speak
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Here’s Joby Harold’s statement on the new show:
“I could not feel more privileged to be a part of building out this wildly iconic universe,” says Harold. “Apple and Legendary have been exemplary partners throughout this process, and we will continue to bring these Titans of cinematic history to audiences with the reverence they deserve.”
And this was the comment from Apple TV’s head of international development Morgan Wandell:
“Viewers around the world haven’t been able to get enough of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ since its global debut, and we cannot wait to unleash the electrifying new stories that Joby and the entire cast and creative team have been working on. With Joby at the helm, and alongside our terrific partners at Legendary, this new spinoff will kick off an epic Monsterverse expansion that brings audiences even closer to their favorite Titans along with fantastic character-driven storytelling.”
When will the ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ spin-off series be on screen?
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
There has been no launch date reported for the new series, but the second season of ‘Monarch’ will arrive on Apple TV on February 27.
(Left) Glen Powell as Tyler in ‘Twisters’, directed by Lee Isaac Chung. (Right) Kurt Russell in ‘Backdraft’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Preview:
Producer Brian Glazer says he’s working on a ‘Backdraft’ remake.
He mentions Glen Powell is likely to star in the project.
There are no other official details yet.
Glen Powell is, as the old phrase runs, “so hot right now”. He confirmed his star status with the likes of ‘Anyone But You’ and ‘Hit Man’ and is in theaters again this weekend with ‘Twisters’, which has been picking up some positive reviews like a tornado scoops up cows and cars.
You can imagine, then, that he’s high on studios and production companies’ list of people to work with, and that includes Brian Grazer.
The veteran producer, a business partner of Ron Howard, who has shepherded many movies and TV shows to screens of all sizes, is now talking about going back to territory that he and Howard tackled in 1991.
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And if he really intends to do it, he apparently needs A) a fire axe and B) Glen Powell –– as, according to what Grazer told CNBC business series Squawk Box as part of a wider interview about Hollywood’s future, he dropped mention of a potential remake of ‘Backdraft’.
Here’s what Grazer had to say:
“Imagine [Entertainment] has always played in that zone where there is that chance, high probability of chance, that it [a movie] will be successful in a movie theater. It’s great for us because we’ve built, over 30 years, over 100 different products –– brands. Whether it’s ‘Backdraft’ which I’m now going to do today with Glen Powell, or whether it’s 24, a movie that we’re going to do in a very interesting way with Disney-Fox.”
You can find more about the ‘24’ movie in our report below.
(L to R) William Baldwin, Kurt Russell and Scott Glenn in ‘Backdraft’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
‘Backdraft’ –– directed by Howard from a script by Gregory Widen, follows Chicago firefighting brothers Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian (William Baldwin), who have been rivals since childhood.
Brian, struggling to prove himself, transfers to the arson unit. There he aids Don (Robert De Niro) in his investigation into a spate of fires involving oxygen-induced infernos called backdrafts. But when a conspiracy implicating a crooked politician and an arsonist leads Brian back to Stephen, he is forced to overcome his brotherly competitiveness in order to crack the case.
It was a big box office hit, earning more than $150 million worldwide (in 1991, don’t forget) from a $40 million budget.
And in case your remake anger levels are rising, you might also recall –– or, for most people, learn –– that a sequel to the original arrived in 2019. William Baldwin and Donald Sutherland were among the actors who returned for the straight-to-video effort that arrived with little heat.
What Else Did Grazer Say About a Potential New ‘Backdraft’?
Kurt Russell in ‘Backdraft’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
According to the producer, we could see the fire effects –– which were pretty superb back in the 1991 effort, and brought to life practically –– given a modern-day make-over:
“AI and digital effects have so far advanced themselves that you can have tiny little cameras, almost imperceptible, that will capture the physics of a fire in a way that’s never been done before… Those are the advancements and benefits of AI and digital effects.”
Will Glen Powell Actually Star?
Glen Powell stars in ‘Hit Man’. Photo: Netflix.
Grazer is not one to spread wild rumours, so his mentioning Powell’s name means there have probably been discussions even if there’s no deal in place. And given that there’s zero official word on any studio involvement (Universal has the rights), it’s a waiting game at this point.
(L to R) Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell star in Apple TV+’s ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.’
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kurt and Wyatt Russell about their work on ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ having the opportunity to work together playing the same role, Kurt’s memories of working with his own father, and what it’s like to be on a TV series set in the cinematic MonsterVerse.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Kurt and Wyatt, director Matt Shakman, VFX Supervisor Sean Konrad, and actors Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski.
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Moviefone: To begin with, Kurt, can you talk about having the opportunity to work with Wyatt on this series, not on screen, but behind the scenes, to create one seamless performance as the same character? What was that experience like for you?
Kurt Russell: It was a bit daunting. We investigated it and realized that two known actors had done a lot of stuff, but the father-son had never been done, and we were excited about it. We were never really, I don’t think, intimidated by it. It was just like we were wanting to get out there and get after it. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of collaboration to figure out who Lee Shaw is going to be and what he’s going to do to help pull these two time periods together. That’s where I had the most fun with Wyatt, and ever since doing some of these interviews and stuff, we were just saying the other day, we haven’t spent this much time since he was playing hockey in Vancouver. It’s been great.
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
MF: Wyatt what has this experience like for you working with your dad to create the same character?
Wyatt Russell: Same kind of thing. I wouldn’t say it was daunting or I was intimidated, but there was some nervousness on my part because I’d never worked with my dad. There are all the comparisons, they can be kryptonite, they could also be great. So, it was like, “Well, if we’re going to do this, then it’s got to be really good.” The bar in my head, you set even higher than you normally do, and that’s probably a double-edged sword, a good thing and a bad thing. But I was excited by the opportunity to do something big and nervous. I remember my mom (Goldie Hawn) coming into my room one day and talking about something else, but she was like, and my grandfather on my mom’s side said this, “If you’re in the water and your toes just can’t touch the ground, that’s probably right where you’re supposed to be,” and that’s how I felt. It was a good thing, but that’s how I felt.
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
MF: Kurt, you worked with your father Bing Russell on a few projects, did working with Wyatt on this show bring back any of those memories?
KR: My dad and I worked together five or six times. We were father and son in ‘Elvis.’ He played Vernon Presley. But this is just completely different on its own, being the same person. We have slightly different energies or rhythms, but we have a lot of idiosyncratic similarities. So, we wanted to find the character, find the one that worked, that would be entertaining for the audience, tell the story, complete the mystery, and pull the two time periods together. At the same time, we created that blending thing to have the audience stop thinking about that and just at the end of it say, “We’re so happy they got those two guys to do it. That was actually a good idea.” It wasn’t a stupid trick. It was a good idea.
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
MF: Finally, Wyatt, the show is huge in scale and scope, and is very cinematic. Did it feel at times like you were making a movie rather than a TV show?
WR: Yes. That was what was really the backstop for any of my anxieties, quite honestly, was then you’d look at where you were. You’d look at the scope of what it was. You’d look at what, in the first two episodes, Matt Shakman was trying to capture with the camera. You’d look at the costumes and what they were putting into it, and it was like, “Okay, well if I suck, this is all going to look awesome.” So, it did feel good and hopefully I didn’t suck. It was awesome. It was on a huge scale.
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
What is the plot of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
Following the epic battle between Godzilla and the MUTOs that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, two siblings (Anna Sawai and Ren Watabe), following in their father’s footsteps, uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch. Clues introduce them to the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows. The dramatic saga, spanning three generations, reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.
Who is in the cast of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
And while those were produced as a collaboration between Warner Bros. and Legendary, the latter has now partnered with Apple’s streaming service to deliver more stories set in the same universe (albeit without most of the characters).
You might wonder how a TV series can pull off the sort of giant (pun intended) action as the movies, and while the show naturally has to be on a smaller scale, it still has the hefty budget of Apple to create some effective scenes of giant beasts.
What works about ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
With much more connective tissue to the cinematic “Monsterverse” than you might expect (it kicks off, for example, with a cameo from ‘Kong: Skull Island’s Bill Randa, played by the movie’s John Goodman), ‘Monarch’ treads a careful path between trying to replicate what worked in the movies –– because let’s be honest, they have been very changeable in quality –– and forging its own identity.
Focusing on a handful of characters whose lives have all been impacted by the Titans in different ways was a smart move, because it allows for a lot of drama between some compelling human beings trying to figure out a way forward. One storyline follows Anna Sawai’s Cate Randa, who discovers that her recently-deceased father had a whole other life and family in Tokyo, including half-brother Kentaro (Ren Watabe). That sets them on a collision course with Monarch in the modern day (or at least 2015).
The real highlight, however (as you might be able to guess) is the canny casting of Kurt and Wyatt Russell playing different ages of the same character, in this case Lee Shaw. We first meet the man back in the 1950s, where he’s involved in the effective birth of Monarch as an organization alongside a younger Randa (here played by Anders Holm) who is working with (and eventually married to) fellow scientist Keiko (Mari Yamamoto).
(L to R) Wyatt Russell, Mari Yamamoto and Anders Holm in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
The two actors do a fantastic job of making you believe this is the same man (not too tough given the familiar resemblance), sharing tics and actions and giving Shaw some real depth.
Kurt Russell brings a convincing world-weariness and spark to the role of the older version, who is essentially imprisoned in a retirement home run by Monarch. It’s not long before he’s out and helping the likes of Cate on their investigation, though.
And when called upon to deliver on the monster spectacle, the show doesn’t hold back, flashing back to the Godzilla clash in San Francisco in ‘Godzilla’ and further back to humanity’s first encounter with the giant reptile.
But it’s not just the OG Titan who has their moment here; ‘Monarch’ is loaded down with plenty of different, new creatures, including one in the snowy wastes of the Arctic.
Related Article: Director and Producer Matt Shakman Talks ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’: Script and Direction
The ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ production team. Photo: Apple TV+.
Created by TV veteran Chris Black (‘Severance’, ‘Mad Men’) and comic book writer Matt Fraction (Marvel comics’ ‘Hawkeye’), ‘Monarch’ has both highs and lows when it comes to its creation.
Some sequences, such as an impressive moment where Shaw, Randa and Keiko investigate a disused nuclear facility swarming with creatures, or Cate’s experiences in the subway monster incursion shelter in Tokyo.
There’s a real feeling of comprehensive world building here, expanding on what has been created for the movies in interesting fashion.
Not every character works as well as Shaw or the others –– filling out the supporting cast are a mixture of tropey types, some of whom do receive a little more exploration and the main story of Cate and Kentaro sometimes trips over the line into melodrama early on. And there are times (albeit few of them) when the effects or production design ambition outstrips the show’s capabilities.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’: Final Thoughts
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
There was a big risk involved in trying to extend the “MonsterVerse” on TV screens, but with Apple’s considerable budgetary backing and some great casting choices, ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ works more than it doesn’t.
Though the selling point might be the combined power of the Russell father and son and some of the monster moments, ‘Monarch’ also does the work to fill in the gaps between, meaning that it’s worth watching even when a giant creature isn’t on screen or we’re not watching a Russell do their thing.
And the mystery element (fueled by what we already know from the movies) also works, even if the odd clue here and there feels like ideas that have been brought to screens before.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
Anna Sawai in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
What’s the story of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.
Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell and son Wyatt Russell across two different time periods), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.
The dramatic saga — spanning three generations — reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with executive producer and director Matt Shakman about his work on ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ diving into Monarch’s backstory, connecting it to the movies, balancing different timelines, casting Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell as the same character, and show’s new creatures.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ director and executive producer Matt Shakman. Photo: Apple TV+.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Shakman, VFX Supervisor Sean Konrad, and actors Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about having the opportunity to dive into the backstory of Monarch and, with this series, connect it to the MonsterVerse movies?
Matt Shakman: What I love so much about what Chris Black and Matt Fraction, who created the show, have done here is they’ve created this beautiful human-centric way into the MonsterVerse. I think if you’re a fan of the MonsterVerse movies and of Godzilla, there is so much here that you will love. It’s full of Easter eggs, and it’s a puzzle that works within existing mythology. But if you are not familiar with that mythology, there’s a way in as well through the eyes of these wonderful characters who also don’t know anything about this MonsterVerse and are learning as they go. So, it’s an emotional story that works within a complicated couple of timelines. I think what is most impressive is that it’s a multi-generational family drama, that it also is combined with epic storytelling and colossal action.
(L to R) Anders Holm and Mari Yamamoto in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
MF: As you mentioned, the show does unfold in two separate timelines. Can you talk about the challenges of navigating those different storylines across different timelines?
MS: It’s very clever what Matt and Chris created because we have a trio in the past and a trio in the present, and there are direct connections that we learn about as the series goes on, how they’re related. Their stories get more and more intertwined as the show goes on. There are thematic resonances, too, that are happening. They’ve created a story that truly is about legacy. It’s in the title of the show, and it makes a whole lot of sense. It’s about, obviously, this organization Monarch, but it’s about the Randa family in the present day. It’s Cate (Anna Sawai) and Kentaro (Ren Watabe) who learn about each other, realize they have a sibling they did not know about, and that there’s a lot they did not know about their father. Then, we’re learning about their grandparents in a way who are the founders of Monarch, and about Hiroshi’s parents. So, there’s a whole lot of stories about trauma, discovery, love and loss that trickles down from the 1950s all the way to 2014 and 2015.
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
MF: Whose brilliant idea was it to cast both Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell as Lee Shaw, and what was it like for you working with both actors?
MS: That was an idea that just presented itself by fate, I think, really. It was incredible to work with them. They’re both brilliant actors. I’m a huge fan of Kurt Russell going way back, just like I am of Godzilla, and I’m a huge fan of Wyatt’s, too. It was amazing to be able to work with them to create one character. I think they had been offered father/son things before, understandably, because they bear such a striking resemblance to each other, but then nothing had clicked, or they hadn’t found the right project, but they really wanted to work together. Then here we go. We have this idea that they could play the same character. What’s fun about it is they’re very different actors. They’re different in their vibes. They’re different in the way they approach things. I think they really loved the idea of, “Oh, well, I’ll take a little bit from Wyatt, and I’ll take a little bit from Kurt, and we’ll put it together, and we’ll create our own version of a character that we might not otherwise have created in that way.” It became a family project.
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
MF: Finally, can you tease fans about the new creatures they will see in this series and how you wanted those monsters to look?
MS: We have obviously legendary characters that you see, like Godzilla from the Toho films and from the legendary MonsterVerse. We’ve got characters from there. But we did get to invent a whole bunch of new characters, and that is just super exciting for a MonsterVerse fan to be able to add things. What’s great about the monsters we were creating is we wanted them to fit into their environment, whether it was on the ice in a world of snow or whether it was part of Skull Island. When we were creating the opening for John Goodman, we had all sorts of different ideas about how that would’ve worked and what creatures would be involved. But when I found this location in Hawaii that was this volcanic rock jetty that went out into the water, it felt exactly like Skull Island. I was like, “Oh, we’ve got to shoot here.” I went climbing down to the end of it, and suddenly, all these crabs that I didn’t see that were camouflaged against the rock ran away. I thought, “Oh, my gosh. Well, that’s what we must do. We have to do a camouflaged crab monster that fits this environment.” So, the environment inspired us. Then we looked at all sorts of different crabs and other creatures we could smoosh together, and then that just made it big and threw it at one of these characters that we love. That’s the joy of it.
Mantleclaw in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
What is the plot of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
Following the epic battle between Godzilla and the MUTOs that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, two siblings (Anna Sawai and Ren Watabe), following in their father’s footsteps, uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch. Clues introduce them to the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows. The dramatic saga, spanning three generations, reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.
Who is in the cast of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
The new trailer for Apple TV+ series ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ explores more of the story.
The show is set in the same universe as 2014’s ‘Godzilla’ and other monster movies.
Kurt Russell and son Wyatt Russell play the same character in different time periods.
New York Comic-Con is happening now, and Apple TV+ is using the event to debut new information and trailers about its various upcoming genre shows. Chief among them was two of the biggest: the return of alt-history sci-fi drama ‘For All Mankind’, and for those who like their TV series full of giant creatures, ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’.
Yet don’t expect any big characters (excepting the giant lizard himself) to show up in the show (initially). It’s more focused on a new batch of storylines.
What’s the story of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, the series tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.
Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played both by Kurt Russell and real-life son Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.
The dramatic saga –– spanning three generations –– reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our live. And yes, by earth-shattering events that means huge monsters stomping about.
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Who else is in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
(L to R) Anders Holm and Mari Yamamoto in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
Sawai stars as Cate, a former schoolteacher and a G-Day survivor who travels to Japan to settle family affairs but instead uncovers a family secret. Tired of running from her problems, she is determined to find answers. Watabe plays Kentaro, an intelligent, creative, and curious young man who has yet to find his own path. He will embark on a quest to learn more about his revered yet mysterious father and discover his own talents in the process.
Clemons has the role of May, an American ex-pat with a roguish exterior that she uses to protect herself as well as others. Whether it be deciphering a code or finding the loophole, she is always three steps ahead of everyone around her.
Tippett is Tim, an office drone who dreams of secret agent adventure. His overconfidence gets him in trouble in the field, but he is determined not to fail his organization. Finally, Lasowski will portray Duvall, an expert operative with unwavering confidence in herself and her skills and a wry sense of humor.
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Well, now you can, because the first trailer from the series is online. And while we were perhaps concerned that this might be the ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ to the likes of ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Kong: Skull Island’ (the Marvel series suffered in comparison to its big screen brethren due to a lack of effects budget and scope), Apple has certainly shelled out enough cash to bring monstrous beasties to life.
The teaser, as they are wont to do, only hints at that, but we do get a good close-up of Godzilla roaring away, as he is… wont to do?
What’s the story of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, the series tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.
Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played both by Kurt Russell and real-life son Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.
The dramatic saga –– spanning three generations –– reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.
Anna Sawai stars as Cate, a former schoolteacher and a G-Day survivor who travels to Japan to settle family affairs but instead uncovers a family secret. Tired of running from her problems, she is determined to find answers. Watabe plays Kentaro, an intelligent, creative, and curious young man who has yet to find his own path. He will embark on a quest to learn more about his revered yet mysterious father and discover his own talents in the process.
Clemons has the role of May, an American ex-pat with a roguish exterior that she uses to protect herself as well as others. Whether it be deciphering a code or finding the loophole, she is always three steps ahead of everyone around her.
(L to R) Elisa Lasowski and Joe Tippett in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
Tippett is Tim, an office drone who dreams of secret agent adventure. His overconfidence gets him in trouble in the field, but he is determined not to fail his organization. Finally, Lasowski will portray Duvall, an expert operative with unwavering confidence in herself and her skills and a wry sense of humor.
And, as revealed in this new look, John Goodman makes a cameo via video as his ‘Skull Island’ character William Randa, apologizing that he can’t fix his mistakes, but he can leave a legacy.
Developed by writers Chris Black (a veteran of shows such as ‘Severance’, and ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’) and ‘Hawkeye’ comicbook writer Matt Fraction, the show’s first two episodes have been directed by ‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman.
When does ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ premiere?
(L to R) Ren Watabe and Kiersey Clemons in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ premiering November 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
Thanks to this new promo, we now know that ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ will launch its first two episodes on Apple TV+ on November 17th.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Anna Sawai in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
We’ve had monster footprint teaser images, but Apple and Legendary today confirmed the title of the companies’ new series set in the “Monsterverse” of kaiju like Godzilla and revealed the first proper look at some of the cast (including the giant creature having a roaring time).
The series, which will follow the mysterious company established in Legendary and Warner Bros’ Monsterverse movies (2014’s ‘Godzilla’, ‘Kong: Skull Island,’ from 2017, 2019’s ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ and 2021’s ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ (with the latest, ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ targeting a March 15th release next year), has clearly enjoyed the sort of lavish attention that Apple has applied to the likes of ‘Foundation’ and ‘Invasion’.
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What’s the story of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’?
Kurt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, the series tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.
Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played both by Kurt Russell and real-life son Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.
The dramatic saga –– spanning three generations –– reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.
Anna Sawai stars as Cate, a former schoolteacher and a G-Day survivor who travels to Japan to settle family affairs but instead uncovers a family secret. Tired of running from her problems, she is determined to find answers. Watabe plays Kentaro, an intelligent, creative, and curious young man who has yet to find his own path. He will embark on a quest to learn more about his revered yet mysterious father and discover his own talents in the process.
Clemons has the role of May, an American ex-pat with a roguish exterior that she uses to protect herself as well as others. Whether it be deciphering a code or finding the loophole, she is always three steps ahead of everyone around her.
Tippett is Tim, an office drone who dreams of secret agent adventure. His overconfidence gets him in trouble in the field, but he is determined not to fail his organization. Finally, Lasowski will portray Duvall, an expert operative with unwavering confidence in herself and her skills and a wry sense of humor.
Developed by writers Chris Black (a veteran of shows such as ‘Severance’, and ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’) and ‘Hawkeye’ comicbook writer Matt Fraction, the show’s first two episodes have been directed by ‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman.
Apple TV+ has yet to announce when the show might premiere, but our guess would be next year, given the crowded launch schedule for the company’s new and returning offerings and with the hopes that the strikes will have been resolved and the stars/creators can properly promote it.
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
(L to R) Britt Robertson and Scott Eastwood in 2015’s ‘The Longest Ride.’
Having seemingly sped around (or, given this franchise, though) its director departure roadblock, the Fast & Furious’ franchise is well and truly back in high gear. The latest installment, ‘Fast X’ is recruiting from among its deep bench of previous cast members, as Scott Eastwood will return for the new movie.
Eastwood appeared in ‘Fate of the Furious’, the eighth installment, directed by F. Gary Gray and released in 2017. His character was a rule-following government agent who is frequently seen with his boss, Mr. Nobody, a shady manipulator played by Kurt Russell.
Does this mean that Russell – whose character was briefly a plot point in last year’s ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ – will also return? No one is saying yet. But you wouldn’t be wrong if you started speculating that the slick Nobody could once again feature.
Speculation is pretty much all we have at this point when it comes to the plot of ‘Fast X’. With Louis Leterrier now on board to direct, the story will likely see Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto and the rest of the ‘Fast’ family tackling another big threat from the likes of Charlize Theron’s calculating Cipher.
Alongside Diesel, the returning cast also includes such core names as Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Sung Kang. Michael Rooker as mechanic and Toretto family friend Buddy) and Cardi B (as paramilitary leader Leysa) are reportedly back from ‘F9’. Given Buddy’s presence, that could point to redeemed villain John Cena’s Jakob Toretto also popping up, but the ‘Fast’ team have revealed nothing about his possible appearance.
(L to R) Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, and Jason Statham in ‘The Fate of the Furious.’
While Justin Lin left the director’s job a couple of weeks into shooting over creative and script differences, he’s still attached as a producer and wrote the screenplay with Dan Mazeau (though we’re fairly certain it has since gone through some changes).
Eastwood, who followed his famous father into the film business, is best known for movies including ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Longest Ride’. He was most recently seen in Prime Video’s romantic comedy ‘I Want You Back’. Along with ‘Fast X’, he’s also filming LA riots drama ‘April 29, 1992’, in which a shopkeeper must save his son from an angry mob in the wake of the Rodney King verdict.
Despite the delays, it seems that ‘Fast X’ is still on track to make it into theaters on May 19th next year. It’ll be followed by a second movie, which will wrap up both the story of these last two entries and, according to Diesel, bring the franchise as a whole to a close. At least until the various spin-offs start their engines…
‘Fast X’ Logo. Courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram account.
Tom Hanks in ‘Forrest Gump’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Starring Tom Hanks as the sweet and simple Forrest, 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump‘ captivated audiences with its emotional depth, historical integration, and unforgettable characters. Here are 15 fascinating facts about the Oscar-winning classic that even die-hard fans might not know.
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1. Tom Hanks Wasn’t Paid Up Front
Tom Hanks believed so strongly in the film that he took a percentage of the box office earnings instead of a salary. This gamble paid off—he reportedly earned over $60 million.
2. The Iconic Bench Scenes Were Filmed in Georgia
Although much of the movie takes place in Alabama, the famous bench scenes were filmed in Chippewa Square, Savannah, Georgia. The bench itself now resides in the Savannah History Museum.
3. The Running Scenes Were Filmed Across the U.S.
Forrest’s coast-to-coast run was shot in over 20 locations, including Utah, Montana, Arizona, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
4. Hanks’ Brother Helped With the Running Scenes
Tom Hanks’ younger brother, Jim Hanks, served as a body double for many of Forrest’s long-distance running scenes.
5. “Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates” Was Voted Top Movie Quote
The American Film Institute ranked the quote “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get” as the 40th greatest movie quote of all time.
6. The Feather Was CGI
The opening feather that floats through the air was a combination of real footage and digital effects—cutting-edge for its time.
7. Haley Joel Osment Made His Film Debut
Before ‘The Sixth Sense‘, Osment made his film debut as Forrest’s son, Forrest Jr., at just six years old.
8. Gary Sinise’s Leg Effects Were Revolutionary
To portray Lt. Dan without legs, Gary Sinise wore blue fabric over his lower legs, allowing the visual effects team to digitally erase them in post-production.
9. The Vietnam Scenes Were Shot in South Carolina
The lush Vietnam jungle wasn’t in Southeast Asia—it was actually filmed on Fripp Island and Hunting Island in South Carolina.
10. The Script Took Years to Develop
The screenplay, based on Winston Groom’s novel, underwent several rewrites and initially faced skepticism due to its unconventional mix of history and fiction.
11. Hanks Modeled his Character’s Voice After the Actor that Played Young Forrest
Michael Conner Humphreys, who played young Forrest, had a distinctive Southern accent. Hanks chose to mimic Humphreys’ speech rather than the other way around.
12. It Beat Out Heavy Competition to Win Best Picture
Though uncredited, Kurt Russell provided the voice of Elvis during the early scene where Forrest teaches him to dance. Russell had previously player the character in the 1979 TV movie ‘Elvis‘, which was directed by ‘Escape from New York‘s John Carpenter.
14. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Became a Real Restaurant
The fictional company inspired a real-life seafood restaurant chain. The first location opened in 1996 and now has multiple locations worldwide including Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles.
15. It’s Preserved in the National Film Registry
In 2011, the Library of Congress selected ‘Forrest Gump’ for preservation, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.
Whether you’ve seen it once or a dozen times, ‘Forrest Gump’ continues to leave audiences laughing, crying, and reflecting on the journey of life.
Tom Hanks in ‘Forrest Gump’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
