Godzilla considers an alliance in exclusive King of the Monsters image

In Godzilla: King of the Monsters (out May 31), humanity faces fresh dangers from the monstery forms of Mothra, Rodan, the three-headed King Ghidorah, and (as director Michael Dougherty hints) maybe some other beasties as well. "I love the idea that these creatures represent an entire ecosystem," says the filmmaker, who also co-wrote the film's script.

Can — and will — Godzilla help the puny humans? That query is addressed in a sequence that finds a submarine making contact with the titular G-man. "The whole story ponders whether or not humans and Godzilla could potentially coexist together, or even possibly form an alliance," says Dougherty. "This particular moment answers that question."

The film's human characters include Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga), a scientist working for the beastie-hunting organization Monarch, and her daughter Madison, who is portrayed by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. The pair are kidnapped by what director Dougherty describes as "a mysterious organization, with their own plans for the creatures."

Meanwhile, shooting has already finished on the next movie in the MonsterVerse, Godzilla vs. Kong. The announcement that production had wrapped on the film came Friday from the movie's director, Adam Wingard (You're Next, The Guest).

"I do want there to be a winner," Wingard told EW about the monster match-up, before the start of shooting. "The original film (1962's King Kong vs. Godzilla) was very fun, but you feel a little let down that the movie doesn't take a definitive stance. People are still debating now who won in that original movie, you know. So, I do want people to walk away from this film feeling like, 'Okay, there is a winner.'"

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