"Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" Producer Discusses Possibility of Season 2

Apple TV+ series from Legendary’s Monsterverse: “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" might expand the Monsterverse beyond a single season, however, that decision will be down to the fans, according to the series' creative team.

“Monarch” is set in the same universe as the movies “Godzilla” (2014), “Kong: Skull Island” (2017), “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (2019), “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021), and the upcoming sequel “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.”

Spanning three generations, the series follows the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and 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 Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.

Chris Black co-developed the series with Matt Fraction, and Matt Shakman directs the first two episodes. All three executive produce alongside Andy Goddard, Brad Van Arragon, Andrew Colville, and Safehouse Pictures’ Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell.

Additionally, Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce on behalf of Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Godzilla character.

Though not yet titled at the time, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” was first ordered to a series in January 2022.

Shakman boarded as a director that May, and Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett, and Elisa Lasowski were added to the cast in June. The Russells were cast in July, and Variety exclusively reported the casting of Anders Holm in October. Mari Yamamoto also stars.

"Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" released on Apple TV+ on November 17 and builds on decades-long work done on bringing Godzilla to life.

The Apple TV+ series takes place before the original 2014's Godzilla, which birthed Legendary’s MonsterVerse. 

Fraction has hinted that a second season could be on the cards provided "people want to keep watching." 

Speaking with The Direct, Fraction's comments were optimistic, highlighting that the show was not planned as a limited series. 

"Well, it wasn't designed as a limited series," he said. "We certainly love the characters and playing in the world. And if we are so lucky and so fortunate, I think we could keep going for as long as people want to keep watching, quite honestly.” 

Tunnell echoed Fraction's sentiments, highlighting that a large enough interest in the series could see Legacy of Monsters expand to multiple seasons. 

"We love the story that we told this season. And we hope that people will show up. And you know, if they do in droves, and then hopefully, it'll give us an opportunity to tell more."

Now with entire season to feast one, other members of the creative team hope people like the series, and want more. 

“We poured our heart and soul into this season. We love it," Shakman, who helmed the first two episodes of Season 1, also said regarding a renewal. 

"We're so proud of it. We hope people love it. If I could knock on some wood, I would hate to talk about future seasons until people have a chance to watch this one. And hopefully, they love it,".

Black simply hangs renewal hopes on fans, "I mean, it's kind of really up to the viewers and the fans. We hope that they respond to the story that, what we're telling, [and] that they'll want to see more" later adding, "if we're lucky, two seasons, three seasons--whatever we're lucky enough to get.”