How a 21-Year-Old Kaiju Film Shows the Best Path for Gigan to Enter the Monsterverse

The narrative from Godzilla: Final Wars serves as a compelling framework for the potential integration of Gigan within Legendary’s Monsterverse. For years, Gigan has been a fan-favorite contender for a villain role alongside Godzilla and Kong. Despite the considerable interest surrounding this iconic monster, he has not yet made an appearance in the cinematic universe. Nevertheless, with another Godzilla-Kong film in development and multiple TV adaptations planned for Apple TV+, the door remains open for Gigan’s eventual debut.

Gigan is renowned for both his fierce combat abilities and striking design, which would enrich the Monsterverse if the studio secures the rights from Toho. Should that happen, he could take on the role of the central antagonist in a future installment. The exact approach to his character remains undecided; however, the groundwork laid by his portrayal in Godzilla: Final Wars offers a compelling precedent for a captivating storyline featuring Gigan.

Gigan’s Potential in the Monsterverse

Transforming Gigan into a Monsterverse Titan

In its earlier depictions, Gigan was characterized as a cyborg monster originating from outer space, serving as a weapon for an alien civilization known as M Space Hunter Nebula. However, Godzilla: Final Wars transformed this narrative by establishing Gigan’s intricate background. The film presented him not only as an extraterrestrial but also as a creature intertwined with Earth’s ancient lore. According to the movie, Gigan did not arrive on Earth recently; rather, he came in ancient times under the direction of the Xilliens, the malevolent aliens responsible for King Ghidorah in Invasion of Astro Monster.

Ultimately, Gigan’s initial mission to conquer Earth faltered when he encountered Mothra, who ultimately defeated him. The Xilliens later resurrected Gigan, equipping him with advanced cybernetic enhancements, resulting in his distinct and menacing visual design – a stark contrast to his earlier appearances in Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. Megalon.

This origin tale positions Gigan’s character to fit seamlessly into the Monsterverse’s existing mythology. Elements of his narrative echo current concepts in the Monsterverse, such as Ghidorah’s extraterrestrial roots, which were established in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Moreover, the narrative of monsters undergoing technological upgrades is not new, as illustrated in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where Kong acquires the BEAST Glove. Thus, a modern iteration of Gigan reminiscent of his Final Wars depiction could integrate smoothly into the cinematic universe.

Gigan: A Rival for Mothra in the Monsterverse

Incorporating Gigan’s ancient rivalry with Mothra could significantly enhance the Monsterverse narrative. While Gigan’s backstory in Final Wars aligns closely with the universe’s established lore, having a similar extraterrestrial origin as Ghidorah risks creating a sense of redundancy. Moreover, framing Gigan solely as an ancient adversary of Godzilla would render him the third monster to receive this treatment, with Ghidorah and Skar King already following this arc.

Therefore, it would be strategically advantageous for the Monsterverse to pivot away from linking Gigan to Godzilla’s mythology. Instead, adopting Godzilla: Final Wars model would allow Mothra to become Gigan’s primary rival, enriching her character within the franchise. While Mothra holds a significant position as the Queen of the Titans and a crucial protector, her ancient exploits remain largely unexplored. Ancient murals hint at her involvement in Godzilla’s historic battles, yet specifics about her actions during that era are scarce. It stands to reason that Mothra could have defended humanity against threats, possibly including Gigan.

Conceptualizing a Mothra vs. Gigan Narrative in Godzilla x Kong 2

Establishing Gigan as a Secondary Villain

Gigan walking past buildings in a Godzilla movie

If the forthcoming Godzilla x Kong sequel embraces the Mothra and Gigan rivalry, it’s plausible that another monster would assume the role of the primary antagonist. Given Mothra’s significant opposition to Gigan, it’s likely that a different Titan would engage Godzilla. From a power standpoint, Godzilla typically outmatches Mothra, so pairing him with a foe he previously overcame wouldn’t make for an engaging dynamic. Following the trend set by Final Wars, Gigan might serve as a secondary antagonist rather than the main threat.

While it may seem unlikely for a formidable opponent like Gigan to be relegated to a supporting role, historical context suggests otherwise. Despite his acclaim, Gigan has never headlined as the primary antagonist in any Godzilla film to this day. Typically, he has shared the spotlight with other villains, serving as an equal or lesser opponent in films such as Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla: Final Wars. Thus, retaining this pattern within the Monsterverse wouldn’t be surprising.

Embracing this storytelling approach could elevate the stakes and amplify the action within the Monsterverse. The prior film, Godzilla x Kong, set a higher bar by concluding with a two-on-two fight — starkly contrasted to the typical two-versus-one scenario. By adapting a narrative inspired by Godzilla: Final Wars featuring Gigan, the Monsterverse could present an exhilarating three-on-three showdown, allowing Godzilla, Kong, and Mothra to engage their respective adversaries in grand battle.

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