Corey Hawkins, one of the stars of Kong: Skull Island, has expressed interest in returning to future films in Warner Bros. & Legendary Entertainment's MonsterVerse. Released in 2017, Kong: Skull Island is the second installment in the MonsterVerse, preceded by 2014's Godzilla. This year saw the release of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, which introduced Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah into the shared universe. The next film, Godzilla vs. Kong, was originally due out March 2020 but has been delayed to November.
Godzilla and King Kong are the two most iconic creatures in popular culture, so it makes sense Legendary and Warner Bros. wants to build a shared universe around them. Godzilla (2014) introduced the King of the Monsters to a new audience while also introducing the Monarch organization, a key factor tying the next two films together. Although not a massive financial success, the MonsterVerse has nonetheless wowed audiences so far with their scope and visual effects, and Godzilla vs. Kong looks to be another visual spectacle. Based on just two seconds of footage, fans can look forward to a grand battle of MonsterVerse titans. Now, fans know one star from Kong: Skull Island is interested in appearing in future movies.
In Kong: Skull Island, Corey Hawkins starred as Houston Brooks. One of the survivors, Brooks appeared in that film's post-credits scene with Monarch, then revealing for the first time there are other monsters aside from Kong. Interestingly, his character was brought back briefly in Godzilla: King of the Monsters as a witness to the adult Mothra's birth. However, Hawkins was recast with Joe Morton due to King of the Monsters taking place many years later. During Screen Rant's interview of Hawkins for 6 Underground, the actor discussed his character being recast. He said:
"I thought it was so cool, man. I was like, how are they going to continue the storyline and to have him play the older version of me was... I was like, "oh my god." And I'm excited to see where they continue it and if there's any flashbacks."
Plenty of time passed between Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Flashbacks could explore Monarch, and Brooks' contributions to the organization. In fact, his story has already been continued in the film's accompanying comic book material, so flashbacks could easily expand on those ideas. If flashbacks are indeed ever utilized, it sounds like Hawkins is up for reprising his role.
With Godzilla vs. Kong releasing in November 2020, there probably won't be any major news on the film for a little while. Fans are likely slightly disappointed because there has been a drought of new info, and now there's a eight month delay. Still, after the under-performance of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Warner Bros. likely wants to make sure the next film is a big success. Right now, it's up in the air if the MonsterVerse will continue after Godzilla vs. Kong. Time will tell, but at the very least, the crossover should deliver a satisfying showdown for fans, and hopefully the Kong: Skull Island version of Hawkins' character will appear again.
