"Godzilla x Kong" Sequel Finds New Director in Grant Sputore

Legendary’s Monsterverse has found a new disaster. The studio has tapped Grant Sputore to helm the next theatrical outing in the franchise following March’s "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire".

Sputore came up from the world of commercials, and as a features director helmed the sci-fi movie "I Am Mother", starring Hilary Swank. The film bowed at Sundance before hitting Netflix in 2019.

The new Monstervese feature is described as a continuation of the franchise centering on Godzilla, Kong, and an assortment of other Titans. 

The script comes from prolific genre scribe Dave Callaham, known for "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse".

Sputore’s hiring follows news that Adam Wingard would not return after directing both the latest installment and "Godzilla vs. Kong" (2022). Upon the release of Godzilla x Kong, Wingard told The Hollywood Reporter he hoped to return for another film to complete a trilogy, but he ultimately moved on to the A24 feature "Onslaught".

In challenging times at the box office with movies underperforming left and right, the Monsterverse has managed to stay robust.

"Godzilla vs. Kong" managed to bring in an impressive $470 million worldwide amid pandemic challenges and a day-and-date release on HBO Max. "Godzilla x Kong" has grossed more than $567.5 million worldwide. 

The Monsterverse kicked off with 2014’s Godzilla and has also included "Skull Island" (2017) and "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" (2019) for a combined $2.5 billion. It also spawned a TV show, Apple’s well-regarded "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters".