Apple TV is reportedly working on a prequel series to Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, exploring the organization's early years during the Cold War era. The untitled project will feature Wyatt Russell returning as Lee Shaw, with kaiju becoming involved in U.S.-Soviet conflicts. Production is slated to start next summer following the second season of the main series.
Series Overview
The new series stems from the MonsterVerse franchise, which has brought fresh takes on Godzilla, Kong, and other giant monsters to screens. According to a report from Nexus Point News, this prequel will delve into Monarch's origins, setting the story amid Cold War tensions where massive creatures enter the geopolitical fray. This builds on the time-spanning narrative of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which jumps between past and present to uncover secrets of the kaiju world.
Cast and Production Details
Wyatt Russell will reprise his role as the younger Lee Shaw, a key figure from the first season who was placed in a government-induced coma after encounters with Godzilla. His father, Kurt Russell, portrays the older version of the character, and both are expected to return for Monarch's second season premiering next year. Joby Harold is set to serve as showrunner, with Tory Tunnell as an executive producer. Filming is planned to begin in summer 2026, after the main series' second season wraps production.
Broader MonsterVerse Context
Lee Shaw's storyline in the original season ended with him trapped in the Hollow Earth, facing potential peril from the monsters below. The prequel offers a chance to expand on his earlier adventures while connecting to the larger franchise. Meanwhile, the MonsterVerse continues with the 2027 film Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, the next chapter in the Godzilla-Kong crossover saga. This prequel could enrich the lore, providing backstory on how Monarch first tracked and studied these titans during a pivotal historical period.