When you look at the box office for Godzilla: King Of The Monsters you quickly realize it won't make as much as Godzilla 2014, whether or not it is considered a success is a matter of opinion. But when you start looking at many sequels in this genre, or even in other genres, is what could be called the sequel or sophomore jinx, that occurs.

Pacific Rim, the film that started the current kaiju trend, made $411 million, Pacific Rim Uprising approx $291 million, a significant drop, Godzilla 2014 made $529 million, Godzilla: KOTM will finish under $400 million (currently $386 million approx.), other big drop. This trend isn't just the recent films King Kong 1933 did quite well but its sequel Son Of Kong didn't do as well, the 1976 remake also did relatively well but its sequel King Kong Lives bombed, more recently Cloverfield did well but its first sequel had a drop at the box office and second sequel was shifted to Netflix. Even looking at the Jurassic Park/World franchise each film has done less than the previous film in each part of that series (Park separate from World films).

In the case of Godzilla Vs. Kong we are technically getting the third Godzilla and second Kong film together, could that combo be enough to buck the trend. While not all sequels have had the same pattern the monster or creature genre seems to have it be more the case, it is a possibility this is why we have not gotten a more definitive word on sequels to other films like Rampage, The Meg, etc. even though they were successful films.

There are many reasons why this can be happening like, the shock/awe valve and curiosity  are there in the first film but isn't as much in the sequel. Also many sequels become more story focused and look at the continuing story arc going forward which may loose some, there is also issues because they aren't as interested in the human characters or character/monster development (they want monsters to be monsters for example), it's a delicate balance and it's hard to truly satisfy the audience as a whole, especially non fans of the genre.

Another more modern problem can be reviews, curiosity even with not such great or bad reviews will still allow a new film to do well but that curiosity isn't there in the same way so bad reviews weight a lot more on a sequel. There can also be a lot of dissecting of films now which with all of the special effects, story details, and such that they can can get hurt by being over analyzed.

The big questions for Monsterverse fans is how will Godzilla Vs. Kong do and will the Monsterverse continue. The first question may be helped by the nostalgia, since many fans, serious and casual, have been looking for a rematch since 1962, another thing is Kong was slightly better reviewed and received which may help. On the flip side questions of Kong's size and how he will match Godzilla may and have caused concern, yes he was growing but it has been a source of jokes since his film was released.

Warner Bros. and Legendary have done a lot to try and built to it and build the Monsterverse into something so hopefully that pays off and helps, but the poor showing of Godzilla: KOTM may have hurt mainstream interest. Toho will certainly be watching, a big box office and the Monsterverse continues, a poor showing and Toho may decide to do their own thing (which could happen anyway) and the Monsterverse may end. 

We hope it does well as we look forward to where the Monsterverse will go and its continued development. In the end no matter what happens we personal are happy overall with what we got and hope fans are too. 

With Kong; Skull Island in theaters, and looking like it will do well thanks to the positive reviews, most will soon be turning their attention to the future MonsterVerse films, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters and Godzilla Vs. Kong.

The fact that the two films will be released within a year or so apart from each other lends to the possibility of the two being filmed back to back but it isn't only that. Most films in the same series have usually a break between them of two years at the minimum, take the current Star Wars trilogy which are each spaced two years apart (with the solo Star Wars films in between).

Another thing is the announcement today of a writing group to work on Godzilla Vs. Kong, consisting of Terry Rossio, Patrick McKay, J.D. Payne, Lindsey Beer, Cat Vasko, T.S. Nowlin, Jack Paglen, and J. Michael Straczynski. Godzilla: KOTM is only slightly ahead of this with writing being worked on and the director, and a few actors being named. It wouldn't surprise me to see this group help with rewrites that surely will happen with Godzilla: KOTM.

​It would completely make sense to do this and give a flow from one film to the next given they will most likely take place in the same time frame unlike Kong: Skull Island and the first Godzilla film. It could also ensure the actors in Godzilla: KOTM film return for the next film, something which may not happen with the Godzilla actors for Godzilla: KOTM. 

While this is pruly speculation only time will till if this ends up being true.

From Variety 
It was posted a while back that Michael Dougherty would write the Godzilla sequel with Zach Shields, now it has been announced he will direct it as well. He has apparently been working on writing it for a while and now was offered the director's chair. He has worked with Legendary before so he was known to them. Alex Garcia will oversee the project for Legendary. No word on Thomas Tull's involvement.
Godzilla 2 is currently dated for Mar. 22, 2019, with Godzilla vs. Kong set for May 29, 2020.

Warner Bros has announce that they updated some release dates for future films including Godzilla 2 (March 22, 2019) and Godzilla Vs King Kong (May 29, 2020). While this gives G Vs KK an official date, Godzilla 2's date is moved nearly 9 months, from original date of June 8, 2018.

The main reason for the move is Transformers 6 had the same release date (and the Jurassic World sequel being scheduled to be released two weeks later) but some may wonder why move it so far into the future. Other thing is 2018 is a pretty full year release wise, there are a number of major movie releases. 2019 is far less crowded and March will put it far enough away from the two biggest releases Avengers Infinity War Part 2 and Justice League Part 2 (May and June releases).

There is possibly other reasons that have not been said to explain the length of the shift. Pacific Rim was originally scheduled for March 2017, a little over a year before Godzilla 2 original release, it was moved to August 2017 when Kong: Skull Island was moved to March 2017. Pacific Rim has since been pulled from the calendar but with a recent announcement of director Steven S. DeKnight being added to it the possibility of Pacific Rim being added back to the calendar is likely it would not be placed in the vacated spot from Godzilla 2 so it may get a later 2018 date.

Another possibility is Monsterpocalypse, Warner Bros got the movie rights to this kaiju board game and it would need to be added as well to the calendar of releases. There could be other simpler reasons like a normal delay (because of director or actors involved) or just that they want the two Godzilla movies closer together. In any case fans just need to be patient and hope for a great film(s).

Press release
Following Legendary’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ 2014 success with the global reinvention of the Godzilla franchise, the companies have come together to create an epic, new shared cinematic franchise. All-powerful monsters become towering heroes for a new generation, revealing a mythology that brings together Godzilla and Legendary’s King Kong in an ecosystem of other giant super-species, both classic and new. Monarch, the human organization that uncovered Godzilla in the 2014 film, will expand their mission across multiple releases.

The announcement that the reinvention of monsters continues was made today by Legendary CEO, Thomas Tull, and Kevin Tsujihara, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. The initial trio of films are 2017’s KONG: SKULL ISLAND; GODZILLA 2 in 2018; and then GODZILLA VS. KONG, arriving in theaters in 2020. While Legendary maintains its new home at Universal Pictures, the GODZILLA films remain in partnership with Warner Bros., who will now also distribute KONG as a part of this franchise. Production on KONG: SKULL ISLAND begins October 19th.

Warner Bros. and Legendary released Godzilla in May 2014 with an agreement to release Godzilla 2 on June 8, 2018. Both films feature the human Monarch organization. Shortly following Legendary's pact with NBC Universal, Legendary acquired rights to additional classic characters from Toho's Godzilla universe, including Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. This paved the way for developing a franchise centered around Monarch and anchored by Godzilla, King Kong, and other famous creatures.

When Legendary announced films centered on Godzilla and Kong, fans all over the world speculated these two characters might one day meet in the same film. Classic Toho monsters including King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Rodan, as announced at Comic-Con 2014, may also join the Legendary pantheon of giant monster mayhem going forward.

“Audiences really responded to Godzilla,” stated Tull. “Today, I’m excited to reveal that film was only the beginning of an epic new entertainment universe. As a lifelong fan of these characters, I’ve always wanted to see the ultimate showdown, and today we’re pleased to be announcing that and more.”

“Working with our partners at Legendary, we enjoyed tremendous creative and commercial success with `Godzilla,’” said Tsujihara. “It’s great to be able to revisit these characters and help create a franchise with so many creative possibilities for filmmakers. Fans love these big, globally iconic films and it doesn’t get any bigger than this.”

About the Productions:
KONG: SKULL ISLAND stars Tom Hiddleston, Sam Jackson, Brie Larson, John Goodman, Tian Jing, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham, and Toby Kebbell. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and written by Max Borenstein, John Gatins, Dan Gilroy, and Derek Connolly, KONG: SKULL ISLAND will fully immerse audiences in the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island. Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce with Mary Parent. Alex Garcia and Eric McLeod will executive produce. Warner Bros. will distribute the film in 3D and IMAX 3D on March 10, 2017.

GODZILLA 2 will be written by Max Borenstein and directed by Gareth Edwards. Legendary is producing with Mary Parent, and Alex Garcia will executive produce. The film is set to be released by Warner Bros. on June 8, 2018.

GODZILLA VS. KONG will be released in 2020.

About Legendary Entertainment
Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to mainstream audiences with a targeted focus on the powerful fandom demographic. Through complete or joint ownership, Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world's most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $12 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit: www.legendary.com.

Upcoming Legendary releases via its home at Universal Pictures include CRIMSON PEAK and KRAMPUS in 2015 and WARCRAFT in 2016.

About Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting. Warner Bros. Pictures has been at the forefront of the motion picture industry since its inception and continues to be a leading creative force in the industry.