Even though Godzilla vs. Kong 2 has only just been announced, the movie already has one other confirmed monster. After months of mounting speculation, it’s finally no longer a secret that Legendary Pictures is making at least one more MonsterVerse movie. A sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong is officially in the works.
A year after Godzilla vs. Kong’s success at the global box office, Legendary has confirmed that the Titans of the MonsterVerse will be back for another big-screen battle. A title hasn’t been announced, but the new movie has been described as a Godzilla vs. Kong sequel, which implies that both MonsterVerse alphas will be on hand. Also returning for the movie is Adam Wingard, who directed the previous MonsterVerse crossover. Legendary has offered no details on if the movie is a rematch or a proper team-up, so it’s hard to say who the villain might be or if it’s another kaiju from Toho library.
While Legendary’s plans for Godzilla vs. Kong are currently being kept under wraps, audiences can count on at least one monster to join the two titular Titans. Nicknamed "Titanus Doug" by the Godzilla fandom, the smiling Hollow Earth lizard that snacked on some crabs in single shot of Godzilla vs. Kong is now poised to get a much larger role in the MonsterVerse’s future. In a Reddit AMA held over a year ago, Wingard said, “you bet your ass Titanus Doug is making a return” if he makes another Godzilla movie [via Reddit]. He went on to say that the creature has to come back so that they could get their “money’s worth” out of the work that went into creating the monster’s CGI assets. The director also added that Doug “has a lot more to give” in the MonsterVerse and expressed hope that Legendary would make his nickname canon.
Wingard’s assurances about the Hollow Earth lizard gave the impression that in a way, the two are a package deal for Godzilla vs. Kong 2. And given the positive reception to his one scene and his status as an original creation of the MonsterVerse, his inclusion is a no-brainer. Unlike what the situation would be with Anguirus or King Caesar, Legendary won’t have to pay a large sum to Toho for a Titanus Doug cameo in Godzilla vs. Kong 2.
Regardless of what the story is for the movie, an appearance from Doug just makes perfect sense. When taking into consideration how Godzilla vs. Kong ended, finding room for him won’t be hard. After all, the movie concluded with Kong living in Doug’s domain. For this reason, any story that includes Kong can easily feature the Hollow Earth lizard as well, whether it be as a second cameo or a more substantial role. Either way, Doug is in an excellent position to appear in Godzilla vs. Kong 2's story in an extended capacity.