Jump to content

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tag: Reverted
No edit summary
Tag: Reverted
Line 76: Line 76:
* Chris Black Broadcasting System
* Chris Black Broadcasting System
* [[Legendary Television]]
* [[Legendary Television]]
* [[warner Bros. Pictures]] (in association with)

}}
}}
| network = [[Apple TV+]]
| network = [[Apple TV+]]

Revision as of 19:05, 7 January 2024

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Release poster
Genre
Based onGodzilla
by Toho Co., Ltd.
Developed by
Starring
Music byLeopold Ross
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Brian Rogers
  • Yoshimitsu Banno
  • Kenji Okuhira
  • Scott Schofield
  • Al Letson
Cinematography
  • Jean Philippe Gossart
  • Chris Seager
  • Sam McCurdy
Editors
  • Nona Khodai
  • Emily Streetz
  • Joe Talbot Hall
  • Mark Hartzell
Running time41–50 minutes
Production companies


Original release
NetworkApple TV+
ReleaseNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17) –
present (present)

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is an American monster television series, based on Godzilla by Toho Co., Ltd, as the sixth installment and the second television series in the MonsterVerse franchise. It was created by Chris Black, and developed by Black and Matt Fraction for Apple TV+. Following the events of Godzilla (2014), the ten-episode series[1] follows members of the Monarch organization as they encounter Godzilla and other monsters called Titans, across a half century.

The series stars Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, alongside Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell in the shared role of Lee Shaw. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premiered on Apple TV+ on November 17, 2023, to positive critical reviews.

Premise

In 2015, one year after the re-emergence of Godzilla,[a] half-siblings Cate and Kentaro Randa investigate their missing father Hiroshi's connection to Monarch, the covert organization monitoring giant monsters known as Titans. Two generations earlier, Bill Randa and Keiko Miura are scientists involved with the early development of Monarch. Former Army officer Lee Shaw becomes a close ally to the Randa family across both time periods.

Cast

Main

  • Anna Sawai as Cate Randa: A San Francisco schoolteacher coping with PTSD whose search for her missing father leads her to uncover his involvement with Monarch.[2]
  • Kiersey Clemons as May: A hacker and American immigrant living in Japan.[2]
  • Ren Watabe as Kentaro: An artist and Cate's half-brother who joins her on a journey to find their mysterious father.[2]
  • Mari Yamamoto as Keiko: A scientist who investigates monsters with Lee Shaw and Bill Randa in the 1950s.[3]
  • Anders Holm as Bill Randa: A cryptozoologist who will eventually become a researcher for Monarch.[4]
  • Joe Tippett as Tim: An overzealous Monarch office worker who goes into the field to track down the organization's lost documents.[2]
  • Elisa Lasowski as Duvall: Sandra Brody's sister and a skilled Monarch operative partnered with Tim.[2]
  • Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell as Lee Shaw: a former U.S. Army colonel, joins Keiko and Bill in their investigations of monsters and subsequently becomes involved with Monarch. Kurt Russell portrays the older version of Shaw, encountered by Cate and Kentaro, while Wyatt plays the younger version, responsible for founding Monarch.[6][7]

Guest

  • Takehiro Hira as Hiroshi Randa, Keiko's son and Cate and Kentaro's father.[8] Bill becomes his step-father when he marries Keiko
  • Qyoko Kudo as Emiko Randa, Kentaro's mother
  • Tamlyn Tomita as Caroline Randa, Cate's mother
  • Christopher Heyerdahl as General Puckett, Shaw's superior officer[9]
  • Bruce Baek as Du-Ho, Shaw’s old friend and an ally
  • Mirelly Taylor as Natalia Verdugo, the deputy director of Monarch
  • Jess Salgueiro as Dr. Barnes, a Monarch researcher
  • Dominique Tipper as Brenda Holland, an executive at Applied Experimental Technologies
  • Morgan Dudley as Lyra Mateo, May’s sister

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [10]
1"Aftermath"Matt ShakmanChris BlackNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

In 2015, one year after Godzilla's battle with the MUTOs in San Francisco,[a] traumatized schoolteacher Cate Randa travels to Tokyo to settle the affairs of her father, Hiroshi. She discovers that he had a second wife, Emiko, and a son, Kentaro, in Japan. Kentaro leads Cate to Hiroshi's office, where she discovers a safe containing files belonging to their grandfather, Monarch researcher Bill Randa. Seeking answers about Monarch's presence in San Francisco and Hiroshi's connection to them, Cate and Kentaro recruit Kentaro's ex-girlfriend May Olowe-Hewitt to decode the files. Monarch employee Tim is notified of their attempt.

In 1959, Cate and Kentaro's grandparents, Bill Randa and Keiko Miura, follow radiation in Kazakhstan with fellow Monarch official Col. Lee Shaw. A boy claims that the radiation is a cover story for the government drilling a hole through the earth. Randa and Miura discover that radiation levels drop to zero around a power plant, and that hollow caverns exist in the bedrock beneath. Venturing inside, they discover eggs belonging to insectoid Endoswarmers. Miura and Shaw rappel down to collect genetic material from the eggs, but Endoswarmer larvae awaken and drag Miura into a deep pit.
2"Departure"Matt ShakmanChris BlackNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

In 2015, Kentaro discovers Monarch files in Hiroshi's office indicating that Shaw, his honorary great-uncle, moved to an assisted living facility in Japan. Tim and Monarch field operative Michelle Duvall track down Cate, Kentaro, and May in an attempt to find the decoded files, but they escape. Cate, Kentaro, and May go on the run and find Shaw, who reveals that the facility is a pretense for Monarch to keep him under house arrest. Shaw convinces them to escape from the facility and follow Hiroshi to his last known location in Alaska.

In 1952, Shaw is assigned as Miura's escort on an expedition following unusual radiation in the Philippines. They meet Randa in the jungle, who claims to be following folk tales of a fire-breathing dragon. Miura recruits Randa against a skeptical Shaw's advice, and Shaw departs. Continuing alone, Miura and Randa discover the wreckage of the USS Lawton, a Navy ship that sank in 1943 from which Randa was the sole survivor.[b] They discover corpses in the ship and are attacked by an Ion Dragon. Having seen the Ion Dragon's radiation-based fire, Shaw returns to rescue them from the ship.
3"Secrets and Lies"Julian HolmesAndrew ColvilleNovember 22, 2023 (2023-11-22)

In 2015, Cate, Kentaro, May, and Shaw escape Japan on a ferry bound for Pohang, Korea. In Pohang, they are accosted by border guards before one of them, Du-Ho, reveals himself as Shaw's old friend. Du-Ho transports them to Alaska by plane; on the way, May infers from Bill’s files that Hiroshi was likely following a list of coordinates identified by Monarch. In Alaska, they find the wreckage of Hiroshi’s plane as well as an encampment suggesting his survival. Du-Ho realizes that Hiroshi’s plane was attacked after landing; a Frost Vark kills him and destroys his plane.

In 1954, Shaw has joined Monarch in a command position. He, Randa, and Miura present a cast of Godzilla's footprint to Shaw's superior officer, Gen. Puckett, to secure uranium for luring Godzilla out of hiding. In Bikini Atoll, Randa and Miura are horrified to discover that Puckett has delivered the uranium as a nuclear bomb to kill Godzilla as part of the Castle Bravo test.[a] As Godzilla surfaces, Miura attempts to halt the detonation, but Shaw restrains her and the bomb is detonated. In the aftermath, Shaw is given a blank check by Puckett for Monarch to research the Titans.
4"Parallels and Interiors"Julian HolmesMilla Bell-HartDecember 1, 2023 (2023-12-01)

In 2015, the Frost Vark's emergence is detected by Monarch. Cate, Kentaro, May, and Shaw manage to escape from the Frost Vark, but May falls into a pool of water and quickly develops hypothermia as they try to find shelter. Kentaro splits off from the rest of the group and finds a building that he saw from the plane, which turns out to be an old radio station that had previously been repaired by Hiroshi. Having learned that the Frost Vark feeds on heat energy, Cate, May and Shaw create a bonfire to distract it, long enough for a helicopter that Kentaro contacted to arrive and rescue them. The group are taken to a Monarch outpost, where they are greeted by Tim and Duvall.

In 2013, Kentaro meets May while waiting for his first art show at a prestigious gallery. He chooses to spend the evening with her instead of preparing for the show, and they bond. Kentaro ultimately decides to present his art before he is ready to do so, out of a desire to make his father proud. The night of the gallery is the last time he sees Hiroshi before the latter's disappearance.
5"The Way Out"Mairzee AlmasAmanda OvertonDecember 8, 2023 (2023-12-08)

In 2015, Monarch deputy director Verdugo is frustrated to learn that Shaw has kept Cate, Kentaro, and May in the dark about the true nature of Hiroshi's activities in Alaska. Duvall suggests releasing the three to track their movements. After returning to San Francisco, Cate convinces her mother, Caroline, and Caroline's colleague James to smuggle them towards Hiroshi's office in a restricted zone of the city's ruins. Evading military patrols and dealing with Cate's PTSD, they eventually reach Hiroshi's office. While they fail to find further hidden files, Kentaro concludes from Hiroshi's maps that he likely headed to Africa in search of Titans. May secretly contacts Duvall, asking to go home in exchange for her cooperation.

In 2014, two days before Godzilla's emergence, Cate is in a relationship with fellow teacher Dani. On G-Day, feeling guilt over having cheated on Dani, Cate chooses to leave her behind to chaperone a bus of children across the Golden Gate Bridge. Many of the children are killed when Godzilla crashes through the bridge during his clash with the military.
6"Terrifying Miracles"Mairzee AlmasKarl GreenfeldDecember 15, 2023 (2023-12-15)

In 2015, Duvall breaks Shaw out of captivity, revealing that she joined Monarch after her sister died in the Janjira power plant disaster[a] but has become disillusioned. They take Cate, Kentaro, and May to the Algerian Sahara, where they find Hiroshi using a Titan lure. He warns them to escape before fleeing. Tim and other Monarch agents find the team in Algeria; Godzilla emerges and causes their helicopter to crash. Shaw and Duvall reveal their intent to follow and help Godzilla, but Cate, Kentaro, and May leave to find Hiroshi. Cate and Kentaro are angered when May reveals that she allowed Monarch to track them.

In 1955, Shaw and Miura attend a defense industry ball, where they bond. Randa recalls them to Monarch headquarters. They learn that Suzuki, a Japanese scientist, has captured isotopic signatures with his Titan lure. As Randa and Miura travel to meet Suzuki, Shaw reluctantly stays behind to present a budget proposal, but he eventually abandons the meeting and joins them in Japan due to his feelings for Miura. Godzilla destroys the lure. Returning to the United States to inform Puckett of Godzilla's survival, they learn that he has transferred Monarch's command in Shaw's absence.
7"Will the Real May Please Stand Up?"Hiromi KamataMariko TamakiDecember 22, 2023 (2023-12-22)

In 2015, May is kidnapped at the airport in Tindouf, Algeria by her former employer, Applied Experimental Technologies, who gives her the choice of spying on Monarch or being prosecuted. Cate accosts Tim when he arrives at the airport and asks him to help locate May. Tim, Cate, and Kentaro find May's family in Tacoma, Washington and learn about her past from her sister, Lyra. They trigger a false Titan alert to rescue May from AET, but she chooses not to spy on Monarch and stay behind. Verdugo is convinced by Cate to secure May's release in exchange for help understanding Shaw's plans, and by Tim to take Monarch public to explain the alert. After reaching an agreement with Monarch, AET rebrands to Apex Cybernetics.[c] Shaw and Duvall take over the Alaskan Monarch outpost and detonate a rift to the Hollow Earth to seal it.

In 2012, May – then known as Corah Mateo – is recruited by AET. Dissatisfied with the secrecy around her work, she hacks into AET's systems and discovers that they are a front for Monarch's cybernetic animal experimentation. She destroys AET's research and flees to Japan under a false identity.
8"Birthright"Hiromi KamataAl LetsonDecember 29, 2023 (2023-12-29)

In 2015, Shaw and Duvall return to the Kazakh power plant where Miura was killed in 1959, now enclosed in a containment facility. Cate, Kentaro, May, and Tim infer that Shaw is trying to rectify the past. Verdugo sends them after Shaw with a small team. Inside, Shaw and Duvall confront the team. Speaking with Cate alone, Shaw explains that he intends to help Godzilla maintain order by separating the Hollow Earth from the surface world. As Shaw primes explosive charges around a rift to the Hollow Earth inside the pit, an adult Endoswarmer emerges. May, Cate, Shaw, and the Endoswarmer fall back into the rift shortly before its destruction.

In 1955, Monarch's new head Lt. Hatch questions Shaw, Miura, and Randa's evidence of the Titans' existence. Randa assaults Hatch while defending Miura from a racist remark. With Monarch's existence under jeopardy, Shaw convinces Miura and Randa to compile their research. Randa realizes that the Titans evade detection through the Hollow Earth. While sharing his findings with Miura, he learns that she is a widow raising Hiroshi alone. Randa offers to adopt Hiroshi. As a last resort, Shaw reveals Godzilla's survival while presenting Miura and Randa's findings to Puckett.
9"Axis Mundi"Andy GoddardMatt FractionJanuary 5, 2024 (2024-01-05)

In 2015, Monarch extracts Kentaro and Tim from the Kazakh power plant. Verdugo informs a despondent Kentaro of Cate, May, and Shaw's losses. His mother, Emiko, inspires him to continue searching. When Hiroshi returns to his office, Kentaro confronts him. Meanwhile, Shaw and May awaken in a Hollow Earth forest and search for Cate. Elsewhere, Cate is attacked by a Bramble Boar but is rescued by an unaged Miura.

In 1962, Shaw volunteers to lead Operation Hourglass, an expedition into the Hollow Earth. Suzuki’s Titan lure is used to induce a partial Titan emergence and stabilize a rift. During the launch, the rift abruptly destabilizes and closes. Puckett informs Randa that Monarch's funding has been cut due to the loss of life from Operation Hourglass. Meanwhile, Shaw’s stranded team is killed by an Ion Dragon while he is sucked back through the rift.

In 1982, Shaw awakens in a Monarch medical facility. Holding a nurse—Emiko—hostage and demanding to see Randa, Shaw is met by an adult Hiroshi. Hiroshi informs him that Randa has died[b] and that Monarch intends to abandon their mission in favor of leaving the Titans undisturbed. Shaw is placed under house arrest.
10"Beyond Logic"[11]UnknownChris Black[12]January 12, 2024 (2024-01-12)

Production

Development

Following the success of Godzilla vs. Kong, discussions commenced on ways that the MonsterVerse could be expanded beyond feature films. Legendary proposed a live-action series, and among the potential investors, Apple TV+ expressed immediate interest and negotiated a deal and green-lit the series in January 2022. It is a joint venture between Legendary Television, Safehouse Pictures, and Toho, although Warner Bros. still owns the rights for the MonsterVerse franchise alongside Legendary. Chris Black is creator and showrunner.[13][14]

In May, Matt Shakman was hired to direct the first two episodes in addition to executive producing.[15] In addition to Black and Matt Fraction, writers include Andrew Colville, Milla Bell-Hart, Amanda Overton, Karl Taro Greenfeld, Mariko Tamaki, and Al Letson.[12]

Casting

In June 2022, Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett, and Elisa Lasowski were cast.[2] In July, Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell were cast,[6] and Mari Yamamoto joined in August.[3] In September, Anders Holm was cast and revealed the title.[4] In September 2023, the teaser trailer revealed John Goodman to reprise his role from Kong: Skull Island (2017) as William "Bill" Randa.[5]

Filming

In July 2022, it was revealed that principal photography had commenced in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[16] Two weeks of filming occurred in Japan in August.[17] The series is shot with 3D cameras in Apple's Spatial Video Format for the Apple Vision Pro.[18]

Music

In October 2023, Leopold Ross was confirmed as score composer.[19] The soundtrack was released online by Milan Records on November 17, 2023, with the main titles track released on November 3 as a single.[20]

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack)[20]
No.TitleLength
1."Main Titles"1:30
2."Depth Charge"4:06
3."Legacy"2:40
4."Hostile Takeover"2:43
5."Family Business"3:28
6."Colonel Shaw"3:56
7."Separate Lives"5:17
8."Not in Trouble"1:47
9."Love and Titans"3:38
10."Critters"3:20
11."Lost Time"4:05
12."Homecoming"4:00
Total length:40:30

Marketing

In August 2023, Apple released first look images, now officially titled Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.[7] The teaser and more images were released on September 8, 2023.[21] The first trailer debuted at the 2023 New York Comic Con, and the official poster was revealed.[22] In October 2023, a viral marketing website called "Monarch Unlocked" was launched with some Monarch computer private files.[23]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 84% based on 80 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The site's consensus reads, "With performances by father–son duo Kurt and Wyatt Russell that work a charm, Monarch adds a welcome wrinkle to the Godzilla legacy by honing its monstrous scope to a very human level."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[25]

Mike Hale of The New York Times commended the straightforward narrative and visual effects, and noted that Kurt Russell's presence gave it a "nostalgic charm".[26] In Variety, Aramide Tinubu wrote that the series "will likely satisfy the most novice MonsterVerse explorer".[27]

Writing for RogerEbert.com, Brian Tallerico praised the performance of Kurt and Wyatt Russell, but he expressed dissatisfaction with the writing, describing the characters as "underdeveloped", the plot as lacking depth, and the dialogue as too lengthy.[28]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d As depicted in Godzilla (2014)
  2. ^ a b As depicted in Kong: Skull Island (2017)
  3. ^ As depicted in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

References

  1. ^ Pulliam-Moore, Charles (January 5, 2024). "Read up on Apple's tremendous Godzilla series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Cordero, Rosy (June 30, 2022). "Anna Sawai, Joe Tippett & Kiersey Clemons Among Cast Of Apple's Live-Action Godzilla and Titans Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (August 18, 2022). "'Pachinko' Star Mari Yamamoto Boards Apple Series Based On Legendary's Monsterverse Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Alex, Mateo (October 3, 2022). "Legendary Entertainment's Live-Action Godzilla Series Casts Anders Holm". Anime News Network LLC. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Holmes, Martin (September 8, 2023). "John Goodman Tries to Fix the Past in 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' Trailer (VIDEO)". TV Insider. TV Guide.
  6. ^ a b Ryan, Joel; Bowen Smith, Brian (July 20, 2022). "Godzilla and the Titans Live-Action Apple Series Casts Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell". Variety. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Apple TV+ unveils first look at highly anticipated Godzilla and Titans live-action original series, "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters"". Apple TV+ Press (Press release). August 17, 2023. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  8. ^ ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ Review: Kurt and Wyatt Russell Anchor Apple TV+’s Refreshingly Human-Scale Godzilla Series
  9. ^ Producer Talks Kurt Russell’s Godzilla Casting
  10. ^ "Shows A-Z - monarch: legacy of monsters on apple tv plus". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  11. ^ "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters". Apple TV+. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  13. ^ Lane, Carly (January 20, 2022). "Godzilla and Titans MonsterVerse TV Show in the Works at Apple TV+ From Chris Black and Matt Fraction". Collider. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  14. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 20, 2022). "Apple TV+ Lands Godzilla & Titans Series Based On Legendary's Monsterverse". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  15. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 19, 2022). "Godzilla and the Titans Live-Action Series at Apple Sets WandaVisions' Matt Shakman to Direct (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022.
  16. ^ Vincent, Maxance (July 14, 2022). "MonsterVerse Godzilla TV Show's Setting Revealed In New Set Photos". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  17. ^ Rosser, Michael (November 18, 2022). "Spotlight on Japan". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  18. ^ Webmaster, MacDailyNews (June 13, 2023). "'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' is being shot in Apple's 3D Spatial Video format for Apple Vision Pro". MacDailyNews. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "Leopold Ross Scoring Apple TV+'s 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters'". Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. November 2, 2023. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  21. ^ "Apple's highly anticipated "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" unveils monstrous teaser trailer and sets global premiere for Friday, November 17". Apple TV+ Press (Press release). September 8, 2023.
  22. ^ "Apple TV+ unveils trailer for its highly anticipated series "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" at New York Comic Con". Apple TV+ Press (Press release). October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  23. ^ Flook, Ray (October 18, 2023). "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Releases New "Monsterverse" Map Clue". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  24. ^ "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  25. ^ "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Hale, Mike (November 16, 2023). "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Review - Kurt Russell". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  27. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (November 17, 2023). "Kurt and Wyatt Russell's Charisma Eclipses Godzilla's Destruction in Apple TV+'s 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters': TV Review". Variety. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  28. ^ Tallerico, Brian. "Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Doesn't Have a Big Enough Footprint | TV/Streaming | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monarch:_Legacy_of_Monsters&oldid=1194196617"