Kong: Hollow Earth (GodzillaLover04's MonsterVerse)

Kong: Hollow Earth is a 2028 American Monster film directed by Jake Kasdan. Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a 
sequel to Kong: Skull Island (2017) and a follow up to Godzilla: Resurrection (2027), the seventh film in the MonsterVerse and the 14th film in the King Kong franchise. The film stars Frank Grillo, Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle, Fala Chen, Page Kennedy, Jacob Tremblay, Issa Rae, Stellan Skarsgard and Sylvester Stallone. In the film, Kong rules over the Hollow Earth, but his kingdom is threatened when Jason Packard (Kennedy) and Apex's Mechani-Kong attacks, awakening a new predatory monster feared by the Iwi.
Before the release of Godzilla: Resurrection, that film was originally going to a another Godzilla and Kong crossover, but never was, and Kong's role was replaced by Anguirus. However, Legendary planned a 2nd Kong solo film before Godzilla: Resurrection's filming began. The film was announced in August 2025, with Chris McKenna and Derek Connolly set to write the film later that month, Connolly returning to do so after Kong: Skull Island. Kasdan was announced as the director in October 2025. Principal photography began in December 2026 and wrapped in June 2027.
Kong: Hollow Earth premiered on May 15, 2027 in Rio de Janeiro and was released in the United States on May 20 as part of Phase 2 of the MonsterVerse. The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising Grillo's performance, its action sequences and visual effects, while criticism was aimed at most of it's other characters and story being similar to the first film. It grossed $564.2 million against its $90 million budget.
== Plot ==
After establishing himself as the king of the Hollow Earth, Kong rules over the other Great Apes, or Kongs. Suko is Kong's loving adoptive son now, and the shy Boots and Kong's friend. Monarch is still watching titans like Kong more closely, especially after the Battle of Rio and the Battle of New York.
Miles Conrad, descendent of the late James Conrad, is a scientist at Monarch who checks up on Kong, who along with Suko, arrive in Barbados. Conrad also meets with Dr. Ilene Andrews and her adoptive daughter Jia. That night, Jia has a nightmare about a robotic ape attacking Kong's Hollow Earth Kingdom, and tells Andrews and Conrad about it.
In the Amazon Rainforest, Jason Packard, descendent and son of the late Preston Packard, vows to continue his father's work, attending Apex's unveiling of "Project: Mechani-Kong." Conrad, Andrews and Jia set off on a expedition on one of many Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicles (HEAVs). The HEAV is piloted by Captain Englehorn Jr., who knows his grandfather went on a secret expedition to film on Skull Island 95 years ago in 1933. Meanwhile, the Kong tribe is attacked by Mechani-Kong and a fleet of Apex HEAVs. Kong, riding on the Titan Shimo, retreats, and so does his tribe, with Suko close behind.
Conrad's team finds the Iwi temple, where Jia reunites with the Iwi Queen and some fellows in the tribe. The Iwi have sensed a disturbance, and fear that something had awakened the "Deathrunners," once the dominant species of Skull Island and the Hollow Earth, who made many other superspecies and other creatures, even the Skullcarwlers, in fear as the Deathrunners hunt anything for sport. Gaw, alpha female of the Deathrunners, appears, attacking the temple, forcing the team and the Iwi to retreat. Sensing Gaw and the Deathrunners, an enraged Kong sets off for revenge against the hunting monsters, thinking Jia is dead. Boots and Suko secretly follow their friend. On his way to the fight Gaw and Mechani-Kong, Kong encounters Gorosaurus, a titan species once thought to be extinct for millions of years. Kong fights but then eventually befriends the dinosaur after he saves Kong from a pack of Deathrunners.
Meanwhile, Conrad and the other humans and Iwi are trying to find Kong, while facing the hostile wildlife of the Hollow Earth as Packard, piloting Mechani-Kong, sets off to kill the great ape to finish what his father started in 1973, with Gaw and her Deathrunners on the prowl. Tensions begin as Willis C. Denham, brother of the late Carl Denham, wants to continue his brother's work and wants to use the Hollow Earth for money and fame, but Andrews validly convinces him that it is too dangerous to do such a task. The team is hunted by Deathrunners. After the massacre, the team lets the Iwi and Jia mourn the loss of their loved ones. Meanwhile, Packard sets a trap for Kong like what his father did on Skull Island in 1973.
That night, Conrad finds Packard and his allies and Mechahni-Kong, and warns the team. Jia, alone, finds and reunites with Kong, tears streaming both Jia and Kong's eyes. Kong and Shimo are lured into the trap, and both fall into it as Packard, piloting Mechani-Kong again, as well as the army of Apex soldiers, prepare to kill them. However, in the nick of time, Suko, Boots and the other Apes, as well as Gorosaurus, attack the army and save their king. Kong has an intense brawl with Mechani-Kong. As the battles rages on, Gaw and the Deathrunners arrive, destroying Mechani-Kong and killing Packard. Kong suddenly and mysteriously gains electric powers, and fights Gaw and her pack. Gaw almost overpowers Kong, but with Conrad and the team's help, he finally defeats the sadistic predator as her fellow Deathrunners retreat. Kong roars in victory as his fellows look in awe.
With the Hollow Earth once again saved, Kong, Suko, Boots and Shimo bid farewell to Conrad and the team and thanking them for their help, and Kong resumes his position in the Hollow Earth.
== Cast ==
* Frank Grillo as Miles Conrad
* Rebecca Hall as Dr, Ilene Andrews
* Kaylee Hottle as Jia
* Fala Chen as the Iwi Queen
* Page Kennedy as Jason Packard
* Jacob Tremblay as Jim
* Issa Rae as Linda Brooks
* Stellan Skarsgard as Willis C. Denham
* Sylvester Stallone as Captain Englehorn Jr.
* Allan Henry as King Kong (performance capture)
== Appearances ==
=== Titans, Superspecies and Other Creatures ===
* King Kong
* Gorosaurus
* Suko
* Shimo
* Hawk Monster
* Mechani-Kong
* Gaw
** Deathrunners
* Kongs/Great Apes
** Boots
* Coralmouth
* Diraffe
* Vertacine
* Warbats
* Skullcrawlers
* Leafwings
* Magma Turtle
* Spirit Tiger
* Various Monster Skeletons
* Skar King (Stock Footage)
* Hellhawks (Stock Footage)
* Hollow Earth Lizard/Doug (Stock Footage)
* Wartdogs (Stock Footage)
* Godzilla (Cave Paintings)
* Mothra (Cave Paintings)
* Rodan (Cave Paintings)
* King Ghidorah (Cave Paintings)
* Anguirus (Cave Paintings)
* SpaceGodzilla (Cave Paintings)
=== Weapons, Vehicles, Races and Organizations ===
* Monarch
* Apex Cybernetics
* Iwi
* Kong's Battle Axe
* B.E.A.S.T. Glove
* Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicle
** Bio-Mimic HEAV
* Explorer
* Hover Car
=== Locations ===
* Hollow Earth
* Barbados
* Amazon Rainforest
** Apex Amazon Base
== Production ==
=== Development ===
In 2024, director Adam Wingard expressed interest in doing another film for the MonsterVerse. With the success of Wingard's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, a new film was announced, with Wingard pitching another crossover with Godzilla and Kong called "Godzilla x Kong: Monster Apocalypse," which dealt with Godzilla and Kong dealing with a new, original monster. However, on May 2024, Legendary announced that Wingard would not return due to scheduling conflicts, but are interested to have Wingard direct one or two more MonsterVerse films, and the pitch would later become the critically acclaimed Godzilla: Resurrection (2027), and Kong's role would be given to Anguirus instead for that film. In June 2025, it was announced that a second Kong solo film, which would be a legacy sequel to Kong: Skull Island (2017), would release sometime after the Godzilla: Resurrection (which was beginning to film next month under the working title of Invasion) if Legendary approves.
In August 2025, the film was announced. On October 5, the director, Jake Kasdan, was announced. Kasdan intended that the film would be "the best King Kong yet," and that the film would be "a bit comedic," but would follow Godzilla: Resurrection's footsteps. Chris McKenna and Derek Connolly were announced as writers for the film, Connolly returning after Kong: Skull Island, the following week. In December 2024, it was announced that Legendary had the rights to use some kaiju created by Toho.
=== Pre-production and writing ===
Chris McKenna wanted the be faithful to Kong: Skull Island, and met Derek Connolly for help. In the first draft, Apex would create an army of Mechani-Kongs to invade the Hollow Earth, and Gorosaurus, Gaw and the Deathrunners were not in it. More time was also spent on Suko and Boots as they journey to find Kong. The second draft was mostly the same, but with Gorosaurus added. The Third draft featured Godzilla in a cameo appearance at the end of the story, but this was discarded due to legal reasons, and Connolly said that it would be just another Godzilla x Kong crossover if Godzilla made a cameo and the scene was ultimately removed.
The fourth draft featured Mechani-Kong leading an army of robot dinosaurs, but this was also removed and the final draft was written, which features Gaw as the second antagonist, and the robot army being removed. Jared Krichevsky designed Mechani-Kong, opting to be mix of his 1967 Toho design but with elements of Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)'s Mechagodzilla. Mechani-Kong's roar is modified from Kong: Skull Island's Kong sounds, with metallic elements added and mixed in.
Casting began in July 2, 2026, with Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle and Fala Chen all announced to reprise their roles for the film. On July 10, Frank Grillo was announced to be part of the film's cast. Page Kennedy was announced August 5 to play the main human antagonist. In August 15, Jacob Tremblay and Issa Rae were announced. Stellan Skarsgard and Sylvester Stallone were rumored to be in the cast since casting had begun in July. Both were confirmed to be in the cast by October 2026, when casting had ended.
=== Filming ===
Principal photography began in South East Queensland, Australia on December 2026, under the working title of "Survival of the Fittest." It had a production budget of $90 million. Gyula Pados served as the film's director of photography. January 2027 saw filming take place at the Kualoa Ranch nature reserve in Hawaii while February of that year saw filming at other locations in Hawaii. Late February saw filming move to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The rest of filming would take place in Florida and Los Angeles County.
Allan Henry returned to perform as Kong through motion capture, after doing so for Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
=== Post-production ===
The visual effects were supervised by Alessandro Ongaro, who returned after Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Godzilla: Resurrection. Weta FX, DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic and Scanline VFX were hired to create visual effects.
== Music ==
Henry Jackman returned to score the film as he did so for Kong: Skull Island. Many of his themes from Skull Island return, as well as "Skull Island (Kong Theme)" from Godzilla vs. Kong's soundtrack being heard as well. "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine, "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (also used in Skull Island) and "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison are used in the film. The soundtrack was released by WaterTower Music on May 18, 2028.
=== Track Listing ===
# King of the Hollow Earth
# Project Monarch Continues
# Miles Conrad
# Jia's Nightmare
# Robot Kong
# Into the Hollow Earth
# Kong the Defender
# Temple of the Iwi
# Legend of the Deathrunners
# Gaw's Assault
# Rage of the King
# Gorosaurus
# Finding Kong
# Revenge of Packard
# Conflicts
# Ambushed by Gaw
# Trap for the Monkey
# Apex Exposure
# Jia and Kong's Hearts
# Beast vs. Man
# Battle of the Hollow Earth
# Goodbye, Kong
== Release ==
=== Marketing ===
A Teaser was released online on July 2027, showing off minimal footage, with the most footage being Kong's eyes glowing blue, hinting at his electric powers. A full trailer was released online on December 5, 2027, showing off Kong, Shimo, Suko, Boots, the Hawk Monster, Gorosaurus and Mechani-Kong, while keeping Gaw and the Deathrunners a secret.
Marketing partners include Playmates Toys, Jada Toys, Burger King, Circle K, Bioworld, Snickers, Kellogg's, Bandai, Hiya Toys, Funko, YouTooz, Mondo, LEGO, Oppo and more. Legendary Comics Released a prequel graphic novel to the film called Hollow Earth: Wrath of Kong, which shows what Kong was up to between the end of The New Empire and this film, as well as during the events of Godzilla: Resurrection.
=== Theatrical ===
Kong: Hollow Earth had a premiere in Rio de Janiero on May 15, 2028. The film was released in the United States in 2D, RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX and Cinemark XD on May 20, 2028. It was released internationally the following day, while the film was not released in Japan until June 1, 2028. Toho distributed the film there. The film was given a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for "Creature violence, mild blood and language."
=== Home media ===
The film was released on digital platforms in August 2028, and on DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray on September 6, 2028. The 4K release includes HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision high dynamic range and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
Kong: Hollow Earth grossed $64 million on it's opening weekend, but it eventually grew in the following days, reaching $114 million by early June, gaining more attendance day by day. it reached $200 million by mid June, becoming among the biggest comebacks in box office history. Roughly $16 million of this came from IMAX sales. By the end of it's theatrical run, it would gross $564.2 million, beating King Kong (2005) as the highest grossing film in the King Kong franchise.
=== Critical reception ===
The film received mixed reviews from critics from critics, but mostly positive reviews from fans. On Rotten Tomatoes, Kong: Hollow Earth has a 69% approval rating based on 211 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Kong: Hollow Earth respects the Legacy of Skull Island while containing a story that is mostly similar to the former in many ways, but has many King Kong-style strengths as well." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 59 out of 100 based on 60 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale while those at PostTrak gave it an overall positive score of 90% and a 70% "definite recommend."
=== Accolades ===
Not in Chronological Order
Award 	Category 	Receipients 	Result
33rd Satellite Awards 	Best Visual Effects 	Alessandro Ongaro 	Nominated
Golden Trailer Awards 	Best Fantasy/Adventure TV Spot 	Kong: Hollow Earth 	Won
56th Saturn Awards 	Best Science Fiction Film 	Kong: Hollow Earth 	Nominated
34th Critics' Choice Movie Awards	Best Visual Effects 	Alessandro Ongaro 	Won
9th Critics Choice Super Awards 	Best Science Fiction Fantasy Movie and Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie	Kong: Hollow Earth and Frank Grillo 	Nominated
28th Golden Schmoes Awards 	Best Sci-Fi Movie of the Year and Best Action Sequence of the Year 	Kong: Hollow Earth and Kong, Shimo, Suko, Boots, Kongs and Gorosaurus vs. Apex, Mecahni-Kong and Gaw	Nominated
2028 MTV Movie and TV Awards 	Best Hero 	Kong (Allan Henry) 	Nominated
Category:King Kong
Category:MonsterVerse
Category:MonsterVerse (Legendary Entertainment)
Category:Kaiju
Category:Kaiju films
Category:Kaiju Films
Category:Kaiju movies
Category:2028 films
Category:2028
Category:Sequels
Category:Sequel
Category:Giant Monsters
Category:Warner Bros. films
Category:Legendary Pictures
Category:Legendary Pictures films
Category:PG-13
Category:PG-13-rated films
Category:PG-13 Rated films
Category:PG-13 Films