Kong: Skull Island is a total blast! The only thing that can make the already extremely enjoyable movie more fun is live tweeting it alongside director Jordan Vogt Roberts. Because we like to make all your dreams come true, that’s exactly what we did and it was wonderful. Not only did we get to enjoy the MonsterVerse Watchalong with our amazing readers, but Vogt Roberts shared a whole bunch of rad secrets, easter eggs, and even some personal stories about the production of the epic adventure film.
There’s literally nothing cooler than seeing storyboards from movies we love.
These were done by Phillip Keller. He is an absolute legend and someone I loved working with. This WWII crash sequence was one of the few things that never changed during the many scripts we worked with. https://t.co/3CUfOFjCiM
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Vogt Roberts was full of praise for his amazing collaborators.
The title sequence was done by another legend Kyle Cooper. He is a bit of a Saul Bass of the modern world, having revitalized title sequences with SE7EN and also worked on the METAL GEAR series. Fun Fact: There's an easter egg in here nobody has found #MonsterverseWatchalong
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
If you were looking for any more concrete connections to Godzilla, you’ll be pleased.
This image was done by @josephacross at the 11th hour. The initial image we photographed wasn't as brutal nor mangled in such an uncommon way. He's a frequent collaborator and friend. He works at a small indie dev named Bungie 🙂 https://t.co/Aymkr8iSXF
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
One of our favorite lines gained an extra importance.
The line in the Senators office where John Goodman's RANDA says Skull Island is a place where "Myth and science meet" was an early guiding force for the film #MonsterverseWatchalong
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
We got a lot of cool glimpses at rad production art.
I haven't seen many of these designs in years. This was a long process partially because at some point in life i'll likely get a tattoo of the final version. It takes longer to finalize a design when you're also future-proofing it for body ink #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/L9dAoJ7xFV
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
The director also shared a personal story behind a super cool easter egg.
Thomas is one of my dearest friends and frequent collaborators. I asked him to do this well before KOTM was cast. He clearly is the driving force behind all Kaiju goodness #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/ucpE09UKkt
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Asking the big questions here.
When making a monster movie that's also a mysterious-island movie, one question you will never cease asking yourself and having asked of you is "How quickly do we get to the island". Such a tricky balance #MonsterverseWatchalong
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
One of the most iconic shots was also one of the earliest to be brought to life.
That shot of Kong silhouetted by the sun ball in the orange sky was one of the first images in my brain. This sequence was one of the first I started working on and it was one of the last to be finished #MonsterverseWatchalong
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
The director unveiled some really cool tidbits about shooting.
There's a national park in Brazil that has dune patterns like this. I was obsessed with having this look for the edge of the island. I wanted to actually shoot there, the logistics of it were insane though #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/AOdPszNCXV
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Turns out that Vogt Roberts loves anime as much as we do.
Giant suns & moons are a huge part of anime framing...so...definitely intentional #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/vRJh0Lu8EN
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Take our money!!!
A day in the life of Hedorah #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/jYPIoworwe
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Vogt Roberts teased that there were still some hidden easter eggs.
Still definitely some major ones.... #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/NoVaGsdyWm
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
We say it once again: take our money!!!
Everything involving John C. Reilly in this movie is my favorite moment. I'm still trying to get Legendary to let me shoot a Marlow & Gunpei HELL IN THE PACIFIC monster movie #MonsterverseWatchalong
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
The queen, Rachel Heine, educated the director and cinematographer on this canon point.
The legend @larryfong shot this movie. As with everyone involved i'm honored to have their talent as part of this film. However, I also ask the question "WHAT kind of lighting?" #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/U8PcvdoJTu
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
And our very own Kyle Anderson caught these two rad references.
Both 🙂 #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/WdoBX5wVE5
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
There are loads of video game references in the movie, but this is our favorite.
Ueda-san's work was a huge influence in general #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/GRkX97IzBD
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Vogt Roberts shared a personal connection to a vital cast member.
The man who plays the Iwi chief is someone who I’ve visited upon my multiple return trips to Vietnam. I took this photo of him and his wife and every time I look at it I smile #MonsterverseWatchalong pic.twitter.com/atY3RnQLDt
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Turns out that Gareth Edwards and Vogt Roberts shared a trip together post filming.
I had the pleasure of taking Gareth Edwards through Vietnam when we were decompressing from ROGUE ONE and KONG respectively. We visited the Iwi village (which is still standing as a tourist destination) in Ninh Binh #MonsterverseWatchalong pic.twitter.com/rhRiVsBvA3
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
Another highlight? The awesome concept art we got to see for the first time.
This was done by @eddiedelrio_art. Put it in a museum. #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/RNjT0zpKv1
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
I mean…
This was done by @DennisChanArt. We met on this movie and I have a hard time ever thinking about doing a film without his touch #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/PaRn7ehA0H
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
We love that Vogt Roberts happens to be a big fan of Pokemon.
CUBONE FTW https://t.co/JGdJn1Ydx9
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
An alternate universe bit of casting we wish we could see…
In some drafts yes. I wanted a badass Iwi character played by @iko_uwais to go with them on their journey #MonsterverseWatchalong https://t.co/XKjw8ar4ud
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) April 17, 2020
If you loved this week’s MonsterVerse Watchalong, you’re in luck: we’re having another one next week. Get ready to watch Godzilla: King of the Monsters! If anyone hasn’t joined yet, it’ll be a great jumping on point!
Header Image: Legendary
