The monster knock-down-drag-out all horror fans have been salivating for may skip the big screen and instead appear on a streamer–or it may show up on both.
The much-anticipated Godzilla vs. Kong “battle of the century” from Legendary Pictures has been in the middle of a bidding war, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Netflix recently reportedly offered more than $200 million for the streaming rights, but that bid apparently was blocked by WarnerMedia, which made a counter-offer for its streamer–HBO Max.
It looks like this could be the heavyweight fight before the main event. But will that bout be held on the big or small screen?
Legendary–for its part–seems to be sticking to its guns and playing this close to the vest, declining an immediate comment. A Warner Bros. spokesperson, according to THR, would only say, “We plan to release Godzilla vs. Kong theatrically next year, as scheduled.” That schedule calls for the blockbuster-in-waiting to hit the Silver Screen May 21, 2021.
Matters are still in flux at the highest levels as of this writing. WarnerMedia chief executive Jason Kilar and Warner Bros. chair Ann Sarnoff reportedly are trying to hammer out a deal for Godzilla vs. Kong to stream on HBO Max and still enjoy a theatrical release (the same way WarnerMedia has said Wonder Woman 1984 will debut in theaters Christmas Day, Dec. 25 and still be available to stream on HBO Max).
Godzilla vs. Kong–directed by Adam Wingard (You’re Next, The Guest) from a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein–will be the fourth MonsterVerse entry from Legendary, and serve as a sequel to Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019).
The new movie–starring Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza Gonzalez, Jessica Henwick, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler and Demian Bichir–also marks the 36th entry in the Godzilla franchise and the 12th film for King Kong.
The film–according to the official synopsis–is set in a time “when monsters walk the earth (and) humanity’s fight for its future sets Godzilla and Kong on a collision course that will see the two most powerful forces of nature on the planet collide in a spectacular battle for the ages.” WWE, eat your heart out.
So, with more news sure to come on the ultimate fate of Godzilla vs. Kong, keep reading Horror News Network for any and all updates.
