If Mothra returns in Godzilla vs. Kong, she could be the key to ending the battle between the two titular Titans. The movie’s title suggests that the showdown between the King of the Monsters and the King of Skull Island will be the focus of the upcoming movie, but it could be that someone or something will have to force them to divert their attention to a different threat.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters brought three more classic Toho kaiju into the MonsterVerse when it introduced Mothra, Ghidorah, and Rodan, monsters who have been associated with Godzilla since the early 1960s. Typically a protagonist in Toho’s movies, Rodan joined the fight on Ghidorah’s side, while Mothra aligned herself with Godzilla. During Godzilla’s final battle with Ghidorah, Mothra faced off with Rodan and managed to defeat him with her stinger. However, she was badly wounded by the Titan’s fire powers. Mothra then flew in the direction of Ghidorah, who had severely injured Godzilla. Though Mothra was eviscerated by Ghidorah’s gravity beams, her energy flowed into Godzilla and caused him to enter his burning form.
Mothra’s sacrifice was a sad moment for the movie, but it was the only way that Ghidorah could be stopped. Mothra and Ghidorah are now dead in the MonsterVerse, but Godzilla will be in the next MonsterVerse movie for a fight with Kong. Though it would seem that the new movie will incorporate new Titans into the story to participate in Godzilla vs. Kong’s “monster war”, the film could utilize existing MonsterVerse Titans like Rodan, Behemoth, Scylla, Methuselah, and the third M.U.T.O. Even Mothra – who is now dead in the MonsterVerse – is on the table for the sequel.
Mothra's Goal Is Protecting The Earth
Godzilla’s role in Toho’s movies varies depending on the story, but Mothra is always a hero. Mothra is traditionally depicted as a guardian monster who defends the planet and humanity from threats like King Ghidorah, Gigan, and even Godzilla himself. While Godzilla doesn’t have a natural tendency to look out for the humans, Mothra is bound by a need to guard her Twin Fairies and the planet.
Sometimes, accomplishing this goal means forming alliances with enemies, which is exactly what Mothra did in 1964’s Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster. Following the death of the adult Mothra at the hands of Godzilla in Mothra vs. Godzilla, one of her two offspring returned in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster. Her new mission was to defeat Ghidorah, who was wreaking havoc on the planet. Since Mothra couldn’t do it alone, he had to interrupt a fight between Godzilla and Rodan. Using their monster language to communicate, Mothra tried (and failed) to convince the two kaiju to fight Ghidorah, but it was to no avail. But after watching Mothra head off to bravely face the creature alone, Godzilla and Rodan were inspired to participate in the conflict.
The MonsterVerse’s Mothra is consistent with Toho’s portrayal of the benevolent monster. Stopping Ghidorah was her top priority in King of the Monsters, and her willingness to give up her life proves her commitment to keeping the Earth safe no matter the cost.
Mothra Could Return in Godzilla vs. Kong
Death is never permanent for Mothra, who has a repeatable life cycle in the MonsterVerse. When she hatches from her egg, she goes into her cocoon, metamorphosizes, and then lays an egg. The purpose of the egg is to maintain Mothra’s endless life cycle. Once she dies, her memories are transferred genetically to her offspring. Basically, what this means is that when Mothra lays an egg, she isn’t creating a “new” Mothra; instead, she’s creating a pathway for her own return. Essentially, Mothra is enabling herself to come back in a new body.
The Godzilla: King of the Monsters credits teased that Mothra did indeed leave behind an egg (further confirmed by a deleted scene), so the door is now open for Mothra to be resurrected at any point. Zhang Ziyi reprising her role Dr. Chen provides evidence that this could be the movie that brings her back. King of the Monsters established that Dr. Chen and her sister (also played by Zhang Ziyi) are the MonsterVerse’s Twin Fairies. In Godzilla vs. Kong, she could find the egg and speed up the process of Mothra’s rebirth. After all, Mothra usually expects the Twin Fairies to sing to her when she wakes up.
Mothra Can Stop Godzilla And King From Fighting
If Mothra returned, what if she were to find Godzilla and Kong fighting? First of all, it's important to note that the battle between these two Titans is certainly not the same as Godzilla’s fight with Ghidorah in King of the Monsters. Neither Godzilla or Kong can be classified as a villain. Regardless of whether they’re fighting over a misunderstanding, territory, Godzilla’s alpha status or a completely different reason, neither is a threat to the Earth that Mothra would have an interest in defeating. That’s why it’s hard to imagine Mothra picking a side in the monster war (despite her relationship with Godzilla). Rather than help one beat the other, Mothra could be the one Titan in the movie who recognizes that in-fighting between the Titans won’t accomplish anything.
Mothra could come onto the scene to alert Godzilla and Kong to the presence of a new enemy: Mechagodzilla. The new Titans' inclusion in Godzilla vs. Kong was spoiled by a toy leak, but it stands a good chance at being the movie’s real villain. It’s long been suspected that Godzilla vs. Kong will culminate in the two Titans setting aside their differences to work together, but it’s unclear what it will take to make that happen. Similar to how Mothra intervened in Godzilla and Rodan’s fight in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Mothra could play a peacemaker role in Godzilla’s fight with Kong. Since the fight is confirmed to have a definitive winner, it’s likely that she won’t stop the conflict until its already apparent who the victor is. Hopefully, though, Mothra will still be able to stop the winner from landing the finishing blow. It could be thanks to Mothra’s timely intervention that both Titans are able to survive Godzilla vs. Kong. Otherwise, Godzilla could kill Kong or vice versa.
After being warned by Mothra, Godzilla and Kong can team up and take the fight to Mechagodzilla, or perhaps a different villain. It’s also possible that one of the reasons why Mothra feels an alliance between Godzilla and Kong is necessary that Mechagodzilla won’t be alone. Godzilla’s robotic counterpart could be assisted by Nozuki, Mecha-King Ghidorah, or another new MonsterVerse Titan. Whatever the enemy is, it could be that what they’re facing will be a threat neither Godzilla or Kong could face by themselves.
