The 'Godzilla vs. Kong' sequel has cast its first star

Did you know there have been four films in something called Legendary’s MonsterVerse? Me neither but another instalment in the franchise is on the way, Godzilla vs. Kong 2, and it’s just confirmed its first star.

As per Deadline, Dan Stevens is the first actor to be cast in a major role in the film, the sequel to last year’s Godzilla vs. Kong. Adam Wingard is returning to direct, with production expected to take place in Australia later this year.

After first gaining prominence for his role in English period drama Downton Abbey, Stevens has had quite the varied film career. He was the Beast in Beauty and the Beast; he played Charles Dickens in The Man Who Invented Christmas; he starred alongside Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams in the zany comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. His most recent role came in the TV limited series Gaslit, playing Richard Nixon’s White House Cousnel John Dean.

Away from acting, Stevens was recently hailed as a hero for slyly calling out British Prime Minister Boris Johnson while appearing as a guest on The One Show (you can watch the unexpected bit here – the hosts had no idea what to make of it).

Plot details for Godzilla vs. Kong 2 are still limited, although presumably Godzilla and Kong will feature. Expectations should be high, with last year’s Godzilla vs. Kong being only the second film to cross the $100 million mark at the U.S. domestic box office in the pandemic era. That was despite the film debuting on HBO Max the same day it did in cinemas.

Stevens and Wingard also have previous together, having teamed up in 2014 for surprise hit The Guest, an action horror thriller that earned strong reviews.

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