Years ago, there were discussions about an epic four-part film series that would have seen Godzilla Face what could have been your most powerful enemy yet. Unfortunately, it never came to fruition, but the idea has so much potential that it would be worth exploring in Legendary's Monsterverse films. After all, the creature that Godzilla would fight – Bagan – sports an interesting design and a backstory that could easily be translated to this particular interpretation of Godzilla's world.
What the franchise did with Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire it's an indication of his willingness to adapt multi-chapter stories. It essentially functions as a “part two” for Godzilla vs. Kongas it directly addresses the 2021 film's loose ends and continues to develop the dynamic between its titular Titans. And before Adam Wingard stepped away from the Monsterverse, the confirmed Godzilla vs. Kong the sequel was expected to complete a trilogy. Depending on how things go, the next film could be the start of a new saga, which could be inspired by a plan that never moved forward.
Toho planned a four-film series featuring Godzilla, Mothra and Bagan
It would have involved the Heisei version of Godzilla
According to The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monsters: The Lost Films by John LeMay, Toho was interested in developing a kaiju story that would unfold over four films. Would have dealt heavily with storylines established in 1989 Godzilla vs. Biollantebeing the axis of the story Mothra against Bagan. Godzilla creator Tomoyuki Tanaka created the concept of Bagan, a shape-shifting monster with connections to Chinese mythology. Bagan was conceived as a Godzilla villain, but in 1990, there was a script that called for him to fight Mothra.
As LeMay explains in the book, Mothra x Bagan it would not have had a conclusive ending. This, combined with a post-credits scene featuring Godzilla, would have opened the door for a Godzilla-focused sequel. Simply known as Godzilla 3 at the time, the film would have been a sequel to both Mothra x Bagan and Godzilla vs. Biollantein that it would explore Bagan's alien origin story and revive Godzilla from his paralysis, which was induced by his final battle with Biollante. But of course the film didn't happen, leaving that to Godzilla vs King Ghidorah approach Godzilla vs. Biollante end.
Toho turning to Godzilla vs King Ghidorah can be at least partially attributed to Mothra x Bagan not seeing the light of day since it was the “first part” of the story. As LeMay writes in his book, it seems that the general lack of Godzilla was a point of hesitation for Toho in making the film. There was concern that kaiju films without Godzilla might not perform well at the box office.
As for what the rest of the saga should include, that's not entirely clear. Since both Mothra x Bagan and Godzilla 3 should include Bagan, it's fair to wonder if the monster would also be in the third and fourth installments. There's also the question of where Godzilla would fit into the picture. With the first and second films using different kaiju as protagonists, it's plausible that “part three” would feature another monster as the main attraction. Following this, the fourth and final installment could have united Godzilla, Mothra, and the third monster into one team.
How the Monsterverse Could Take Inspiration From Toho's Canceled Godzilla Tetralogy
Godzilla, Mothra and other titans could fight Bagan in the Monsterverse
The ideas Toho had for its kaiju tetralogy were very promising, so much so that there's potential for them to still work on the big screen, at least in some capacity. The franchise is unlikely to dedicate four films to the concept, but thanks to the upcoming Monsterverse TV spin-offs on Apple TV+, a similar structure is actually viable. A singular storyline that plays out across films and shows offers a lot of narrative potential that would allow Monstervese to properly elevate a Titan threat, namely Bagan. While Ghidorah was created and presented in a film, Bagan's rise could happen gradually.
This could work if the Monsterverse finally trusted a Titan who isn't named Godzilla or Kong for his own show or movie. The latter scenario may not happen, but a show focusing on one of the many Titans living in the Monsterverse hardly seems impossible. If that were to happen, it could find Bagan somewhere in the Hollow Earth, and perhaps create a story where Godzilla fights him. And now this Godzilla vs. Kong resurrected Mothra, she could be part of it too. Since Bagan was supposed to fight Mothra, such a plan would seem appropriate. Not only that, but as a creature with a lore as rich as Mothra's, she's the perfect candidate for a Monsterverse solo show.
How Bagan Could Work in the Monsterverse
Bagan could be a good option for the Monsterverse
The challenge of obtaining the licensing rights to Bagan aside, the evil kaiju could be a worthy addition to the Monsterverse's Titan line. Interestingly, its origins align perfectly with the world Legendary has already created in the films. His original story defined him as a creature that terrorized ancient China, adopting multiple monster forms in the process. One was a dragon, another was ape-like, and the third was a water monster. This allowed Bagan to be a threat in the sky, on land and in the water. However, all three forms were weaker than Godzilla, which made a fourth form necessary.
Bagan's abilities and history would serve the Monsterverse well. As his powers mean he could invent different designs of Bagan, the Monsterverse would be able to recycle the creature into different designs without the risk of it becoming obsolete. Just like the designs themselves, the fights would also be unique because of this aspect of the creature.
With different transformations, he could theoretically face a Titan like Rodan or Mothra in the air, Godzilla in the water, and Kong on land. His final form could be used to face them all together in one team. This could also add a compelling sense of mystery to the story, as their different forms throughout the story could create the impression that each is a separate monster, before the dots are finally connected.