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Sam Neill, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, is officially stepping into another blockbuster universe. The veteran actor has been cast in Legendary’s next Monsterverse film, an untitled sequel to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The announcement has generated buzz throughout the entertainment industry, with both traditional and contemporary monster movie fans looking forward to Neill’s return to a genre in which he has been a favorite for years.
Neill’s contribution brings gravitas acting weight to the ever-expanding Monsterverse. While his character is shrouded in mystery, insiders speculate that he could be a government official or scientist of high rank, bringing real-world, human sensibility to the war of giant Titans. With his history of portraying characters caught between scientific wonder and existential fear, Neill would be a natural fit for a franchise that thrives on humanity’s uneasy coexistence with giant monsters.
This new sequel, directed and written by Grant Sputore (I Am Mother), continues from where the 2024 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which grossed more than $570 million globally, stopped. The film will once again explore the hidden worlds of Hollow Earth and the ancient rivalry—and reluctant partnership—of Godzilla and Kong. With Sputore at the helm and a script by David Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the film represents a new creative direction while remaining faithful to the cinematic intensity that audiences have come to expect from the Monsterverse.
Returning alongside Neill are regular star Dan Stevens as Trapper and franchise newcomers Kaitlyn Dever, Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Matthew Modine. Production has started in Queensland, Australia, a go-to place for the previous Monsterverse titles due to the diversity of its landscape and gargantuan production infrastructure.
Neill’s casting is also seen as an effort to bridge the generation gap between monster-movie fans. Not only will it satisfy die-hards who grew up in the 1990s watching dino-blockbusters, but also an upcoming generation raised on the cinematic giants of the present day. At one level, this casting is symbolic: Neill used to run away from runaway dinosaurs in Jurassic Park—now he may have to fight beasts the size of skyscrapers.
Set to hit theaters on March 26, 2027, excitement has already started building over what’s in store for the Monsterverse. If Neill’s role in any way recalls his past roles, viewers can expect to see a quiet, captivating character—and another reason to tune in as humans square off against monsters from another dimension.
