King Kong is no stranger to wreaking havoc on the big screen, but this spring's Kong: Skull Island took the giant gorilla to new territory. Not only was this latest tale primarily set on Kong's home rather than have him be dragged yet again to a city in the latter half, but it was also the second entry of the shared MonsterVerse. Having commercially performed admirably and earning many positive reviews, Kong: Skull Island did well enough that a direct sequel certainly could be ordered down the line. However, if that happens, director Jordan Vogt-Roberts isn't likely to return to helm the project. He explained:
I think I'm done with giant monsters for a little bit...I'm really proud of how weird this movie is and I'm really proud of how much people embraced that stuff and actually called out like how strange the movie is. And I wanted it to have a voice and I'm so proud of what we did and how I think it is, like, a nontraditional blockbuster in 2017. And I'm so proud of what Legendary and Warner Bros and those guys allowed me to do and the collaboration that we had. But I definitely don't think I've got Kong vs. Godzilla in me. Never say never, but I'm so proud of the Kong we made and the vibe of him and the energy of him and the vibe of the creatures on that island and everything, but it would be tough for me right now.
Studios keeping a director around for a sequel is typically a coin flip. Sometimes a creative mind will want to go for another round, while other times someone new will be hired for the sequel, whether it's due to the previous director and the studio having creative differences, the previous director wanting to move on to new things, etc. Going off Jordan Vogt-Roberts' comments to ScreenJunkies, it sounds like he got all of his Kong-related creative juices sufficiently emptied for Kong: Skull Island, and he's not interested in overseeing King Kong's next story. However, Vogt-Roberts is still keeping a foot in the world of Hollywood, as he's preparing to direct the Metal Gear Solid movie.
Warning: spoilers for Kong: Skull Island are ahead!
Warner Bros and Legendary haven't announced whether or not Kong: Skull Island will receive a sequel, but fortunately for fans of the ape, he'll be returning to soon. 2020 will see Kong clashing with fellow MonsterVerse inhabitant Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong. The Kong: Skull Island after-credits scene also teased some of the other monsters that live in this universe, one of which we may see in the second Godzilla movie. So rest assured, King Kong will still be an important player in this MonsterVerse franchise.
Kong: Skull Island is still playing in theaters, and the next chapter of the MonsterVerse will unfold when Godzilla: King of the Monsters arrives on March 22, 2019.
