Godzilla x Kong The Skull Crusher Brings Back Trapper

by

It’s thrilling to share a fresh piece of information: According to Deadline, Dan Stevens might be returning to portray Trapper, the Monarch veterinarian, in an upcoming Monsterverse film. In the 2024 movie “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” Stevens initially brought Trapper to life in a supporting role, sharing the screen with Rebecca Hall (as Monarch scientist Ilene Andres) and Brian Tyree Henry (as Bernie, an endearing conspiracy theorist). Although Stevens had limited screentime, Trapper was one of the more engaging human characters, stealing some of the movie’s most enjoyable scenes and excelling in his interactions with the colossal titans.

In addition to speculation about Stevens’ character making an appearance, the upcoming “Godzilla vs. Kong” sequel has also recruited Kaitlyn Dever for the movie, although her exact part is still unclear. Progress appears to be happening swiftly on this sequel, as Grant Sputore (“I Am Mother”) has come aboard to direct and Dave Callaham has penned a script. The original film delved into the concept of the Hollow Earth, with Kong now reigning after “A New Empire” events, while Godzilla took a supporting role in the narrative.

As a dedicated cinephile, it’s quite plausible that Dan Stevens’ addition to “The New Empire” stems from his prior partnership with Adam Wingard, the director behind the last two installments of the MonsterVerse. In fact, Wingard and Stevens worked together in the 2017 film “The Guest“, where Dan portrayed a U.S. Soldier harboring a puzzling past. Fervently hoping that this upcoming MonsterVerse production will address one of the most frequently criticized elements in previous films – the human characters – to steer the series back on track.

The Monsterverse Is in Dire Need of Well-Written Characters

In its opening, the movie titled “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” proved to be financially fruitful, earning $571.8 million globally against a budget of around $135-150 million. Yet, its success was somewhat overshadowed by Toho’s concurrent Japanese release, “Godzilla Minus One“. Given that both films share similar themes, they were often compared, and unfortunately for “The New Empire“, it garnered less positive critical response than its counterpart. On Rotten Tomatoes, the North American film received a 54% “rotten” rating.

Conversely, “Minus One” garnered critical acclaim, eventually winning the Academy Award for best visual effects at the Oscars the subsequent year. This film boasts an impressive 99% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics lauding it for its exceptionally captivating human characters, who even overshadowed Godzilla himself. The movie is more gritty and realistic, mirroring the actual hardships Japan faced during the time the story unfolds.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel to “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” While it’s not necessary for this sequel to mimic the somber and intense tone of “Minus One,” it would be beneficial to amplify the comedic elements, such as those embodied by the character Trapper, played brilliantly by Stevens. His exuberant portrayal and uncanny ability to overlook the preposterousness of titanic monkeys and reptiles engaging in combat made the human characters seem less like a diversion from the monster mayhem.

The Showa Era of “Godzilla” films serve as an inspiring model, demonstrating that even with a focus on action-packed monsters, the franchise can still be lighthearted and well-received. Here’s hoping that Stevens’ reappearance in the “MonsterVerse” signifies a move in the right direction towards a more enjoyable and balanced blend of humor, human drama, and unparalleled monster action.

Read More

2025-02-02 08:01