Legendary is continuing to expand the Monsterverse. That franchise, first launching with Godzilla (2014), is now breaking on to TV. The series, titled Skull Island, will be animated and focus on the titular location of the movie Kong: Skull Island (2017). This article is a news roundup of details related to the upcoming series.
June 22nd, 2023 update
To note, the 8 episode series has now premiered on Netflix.
June 10th, 2023 update
In advance of the show’s release in some regions on June 22nd, Netflix has released a more extended trailer focused on Skull Island.
May 23rd, 2023 update
A ton of news has been released regarding the upcoming animated series that is to stream on Netflix. One of the biggest is a trailer that is found below.
The minute long advert showcases a number of monsters. What’s missing are references to any of the beasts from Kong: Skull Island (2017), excluding Kong. Instead the teaser showcases new faces, both from the human cast and the menagerie of creatures. With the trailer also came a poster, which does feature not just the monsters from the advert but a returning menace: the Skullcrwawler. In addition Netflix has issued a press release and promotional images. All of which to tout the series that is coming to North America and some other markets on June 22nd, 2023. The poster and press release are found below.
MANY MONSTERS: ONE KING
NETFLIX UNVEILS PREMIERE DATE AND VOICE CAST FOR SKULL ISLAND
Netflix confirms the premiere date and star-studded cast for its highly anticipated animated series, “Skull Island” from Legendary Television. The all-new animated series is set to make its global debut on June 22, 2023, exclusively on Netflix.
“Skull Island” takes viewers on a thrilling adventure as a group of kind-hearted explorers rescues Annie (Mae Whitman) from the ocean, unaware that their act of heroism will lead them to the treacherous Skull Island. This enigmatic place is home to bizarre creatures and terrifying monsters, including the mighty titan himself, Kong.
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, with Nicolas Cantu (Dragons Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky, The Fabelmans) lending his voice to the protagonist, Charlie. Joining him are talented voice actors Mae Whitman (Family Guy, DC Super Hero Girls) as Annie, Darren Barnett (Never Have I Ever, Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles) as Mike, Benjamin Bratt as Cap (Poker Face, Coco), and Betty Gilpin (Mrs. Davis, Glow) as Irene. Together, they bring these vibrant characters to life and embark on a captivating journey.
“Skull Island” is created, written and executive produced by Brian Duffield (Cocaine Bear, Love and Monsters). Jacob Robinson, Brad Graeber, Jen Chambers, and Thomas Tull also serve as executive producers. The animation is expertly crafted by Powerhouse Animation, acclaimed for their work on hit series such as “Castlevania” and “Blood of Zeus.”
June 9th, 2022 update
The relative silence on the project has been broken. The animated series, headed to Netflix, has released a first look image of the upcoming show, seen below.
Legendary has also issued a press release, which is as follows:
Skull Island, a thrilling animated adventure series, follows shipwrecked characters desperate to escape the most dangerous place on Earth—a mysterious island home to prehistoric monsters, including the greatest Titan of them all, Kong.
Executive Producers: Brian Duffield (Underwater, The Babysitter), who will write and executive produce, and Jacob Robinson, under his company Tractor Pants.
Animation Studio: Powerhouse Animation (Castlevania, Blood of Zeus)
About the franchise: Bigger than any single monster, Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse is an expansive story universe of multi-layered experiences centering around humanity’s battle to survive in a world that is under siege by a catastrophic new reality—the monsters of our myths and legends are real. Beginning in 2014 with Godzilla and continuing with 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2021’s massive smash hit Godzilla vs. Kong, Monsterverse films have accumulated close to two billion dollars globally at the box office and is ever expanding with the latest iterations being the sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, a new anime series “Skull Island” forthcoming to Netflix, and an untitled live-action original series coming to Apple TV+.
January 27th, 2021 update
Deadline and Variety broke the news that Legenadary Television is currently working on two anime shows for Netflix. One of the series is based on the video game franchise Tomb Raider while the other is based on the Monsterverse. The Monterverse entry, dubbed Skull Island, focuses on a crew that is shipwrecked on the monster infested Skull Island. It’s unclear when the series might take place chronologically. Right now the prior two stories set on the island took place in 1973, the movie, and in 1995, the Skull Island: The Birth of Kong comic series.
As for the production side, the series will be both written and and produced by Brian Duffield, who wrote the 2020 movie Underwater. Joining Duffield as an executive producer is Jacob Robinson, who has produced short films in the past like My Mom and Other Monsters. As for the animation, it will be handled by Powerhouse Animation, who worked on the Castlevania anime series.
No release date was given for the show.
