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A cancelled Godzilla team-up movie provides the perfect blueprint for Rodan’s potential return to the Monsterverse. By leaving Rodan as one of the survivors of the big Titan battle in Boston, Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ ending effectively set the stage for the King of the Skies to re-enter the picture at a later date. Because of this, there was reasonable speculation that Rodan would appear in both Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, but neither of these scenarios panned out. However, that’s not to say the Monsterverse has closed the door on his story.
With a Godzilla x Kong sequel on the way, a second Monsterverse appearance for Rodan remains on the table. As for where he’d fit into the picture, that remains unclear, especially since there’s all sorts of different roles he could fit in a Monsterverse movie. Of all the options available to it, arguably the best one is very similar to a plan that Toho had for the kaiju 52 years ago. It could have been an exciting film, but unfortunately, the studio never moved forward with it. The Monsterverse, on the other hand, could go a long way if it were to build off one of the early ideas for Godzilla vs. Gigan.
Toho’s Scrapped Plan For The Return of King Ghidorah! Explained
The Return of King Ghidorah! Gradually Evolved Into Godzilla vs. Gigan
Decades ago, Godzilla and Rodan were a rather popular kaiju pairing. The duo worked together alongside Mothra to beat Ghidorah in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster and reunited for a rematch with Ghidorah in Invasion of Astro Monster. Rodan returned as one of Godzilla’s monster allies in Destroy All Monsters. They didn’t team up again in the Showa era, with Toho finding new partners for Godzilla in Jet Jaguar, King Caesar, and Anguirus. But in the early 1970s, the studio did envision another Godzilla-Rodan team-up in the form of The Return of King Ghidorah!
Rodan was one of two monsters Godzilla was aligned with in a script titled
The Return of King Ghidorah!
According to The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films by John LeMay, Rodan was one of two monsters Godzilla was aligned with in a script titled The Return of King Ghidorah! Similar to what happened in Invasion of Astro Monster and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla and Rodan were entrusted with saving the world from Ghidorah. But the film wasn’t to be a repeat of the last two stories, as it increased the scale by adding three monsters to the equation. Varan was added to Godzilla and Rodan’s side while Mogu and Gigan were teamed with Ghidorah in a cosmic adventure.
Only one of the six kaiju in
The Return of King Ghidorah!
– Mogu – never received a cinematic debut.
This would have allowed a three-on-three monster showdown to serve as the centerpiece of the story. Perhaps due to budget concerns, the matchup was altered considerably through revisions to the script. Toho omitted Rodan, Varan, and Mogu, electing only to keep Godzilla, Gigan, and Ghidorah. Anguirus was subsequently added to give Godzilla an ally, making the central conflict a two-on-two battle. The final product, Godzilla vs. Gigan, offered a thrilling final battle, but the plans it evolved from underscore the idea that it had the potential to be even bigger and more fun than it was.
Rodan’s Return Could Involve A Three-On-Three Battle
Rodan Could Join Forces With Godzilla & Kong Against 3 Monsterverse Villains
Not only does the prospect of a three-on-three monster fight sound appealing, but it fits with the current direction of the Monsterverse. In true action movie fashion, the Monsterverse has had a tendency to up the ante with each installment. For instance, Godzilla vs. Kong ended with a one-on-two battle, and then Godzilla x Kong’s ending saw the two engage in a tag team fight with Shimo and Skar King. The most obvious direction to take the franchise after that would be a three-on-one matchup, with Godzilla and Kong once again being the heroes.
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If three villains emerge, Godzilla and Kong could find themselves needing another Titan’s assistance. The setup now exists for Mothra or the Monsterverse’s Shimo to serve as the third member of the trio, but Rodan would make even more sense for that role. His years-long absence from the Monsterverse since King of the Monsters, combined with his history as a Godzilla ally, would further the hype for such an alliance in Godzilla x Kong’s sequel. It would also enable the Monsterverse to deliver on a tease that’s been left hanging since Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
The Monsterverse Already Has An Easy Way To Bring Back Rodan
Godzilla Could Call Rodan Out Of Hibernation
Unlike the slow wait for Mothra’s return in Godzilla x Kong, getting Rodan on Godzilla and Kong’s side wouldn’t be a huge narrative leap for the movie or one that would require significant buildup. After all, Godzilla: King of the Monsters already indicated Rodan would be inclined to help Godzilla in the future. The creature bowing down to Godzilla symbolized his acceptance of the latter becoming the alpha of the Titans. Providing that he doesn’t fall prey to the same tendencies that doomed Scylla in Godzilla x Kong, Rodan should be willing to fight as a minion of Godzilla in the future.
Rodan returned to hibernation before Godzilla vs. Kong, but could easily be awakened by a roar from the alpha in the sequel. If Godzilla and Kong are put in a perilous situation, that’s all it may take to secure the required help against the Monsterverse’s next villains.
Monsterverse
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The Monsterverse is a giant kaiju franchise that began in 2014 with Legendary’s Godzilla starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, and Elizabeth Olsen. The film was followed up by Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs Kong, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
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