Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment’s ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ has set a China release date of March 26, five days ahead of its US debut in theatres and on streaming.
The past two instalments of the franchise have made more money in China than in North America, and with US cinemas still closed in much of the country and taking a continuous beating from the COVID-19 pandemic, the same can be expected for the latest Adam Wingard-directed title.
Its China release, which will almost assuredly be its largest theatrical outing globally, comes amid beef between. Legendary, a subsidiary of China’s Wanda Group, and Warner Bros., its US distributor. The former threatened legal action against the latter over its decision to release all of its 2021 films on HBO Max day-and-date with their theatrical debut. Warner Bros. had to exacerbate bad blood by reportedly blocking a Netflix bid to buy the approximately $200 million-budgeted film for $250 million. Starring Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown and Rebecca Hall, the fourth title in ‘Legendary Entertainment’s MonsterVerse’ pits ‘Godzilla’ against ‘King Kong’ for a special effects extravaganza.
A new trailer cut specifically for China features footage that has not appeared in prior ones. The minute-long sneak peek emphasizes the relationship between ‘King Kong’ and a small girl who helps control him, as well as the monster’s desire to protect her. The trailer forgoes opening with effects-heavy fights and explosions for a quieter, more emotional start, beginning with a sun-dappled scene of ‘King Kong’ yawning himself awake and the line, “He trusts her.” Monster and girl then sign the word “family” to each other. —Reuters
