Apple TV+ has revealed the title of its 10-episode Monsterverse series: Monarch: Legacy of the Monsters. Along with the official title, Apple also unveiled our first look at the show with a handful of images.
Monarch: Legacy of the Monsters tells the story of a family getting to grips with its chequered history, and discovering how they’re involved with the shadowy Monarch organization. Interestingly, Kurt and Wyatt Russell will play the same character, Army Officer Lee Shaw, 50 years apart as the series explores three generations of monster-related intrigue.
Introducing Lee Shaw. Now and then. pic.twitter.com/NCFkkRuVqG
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) August 17, 2023
Here’s the official synopsis:
“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 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.”
Monarch: Legacy of the Monsters also stars Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett, and Elisa Lasowski.
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) August 17, 2023
The franchise began back in 2014 with Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla, continuing with Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and most recently Godzilla vs. Kong. Alongside the upcoming Monarch TV series, the franchise will continue with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which was unveiled earlier this year.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters was co-created by Matt Fraction and Chris Black, who are both on board as executive producers alongside Matt Shakman, who will direct the first two episodes. Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, Hiro Matsuoka, and Takemasa Arita will also executive produce.
Want to read more about Godzilla? Find out why filmmaker Gareth Edwards never meant to make franchise movies as well as what we know about Toho’s next Godzilla movie.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.