end of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 1, Cate (Anna Sawai), May (Kiersey Clemons), and Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) escaped a pocket of the Hollow Earth, only to end up at an Apex Cybernetics base on Skull Island two years later. Their escape was made possible by Lee (Kurt Russell), who sacrificed himself to save them. His real-life son, Wyatt, plays a younger version of his character from the 1950s.

Speaking with Collider, Russell explained how the monsters and relationships featured in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 are different from season 1. Uncertain how much he could reveal, the actor teased how "the mystery deepens" in the episodes, and will feature new Titans along the way. He also confirmed more intense relationships, though didn't specify what that means for the characters. Check out what Russell had to say below:

Season 2 of Monarch was really interesting to be able to get to do because we had to expand on certain themes and stuff that we found in the first season to really work. I haven't been briefed on what I can tease and what I can't. I can say that the mystery deepens. There are more monsters that arrive that are really fun to explore in the story. We wanted to level it up, I guess you could say, and in the Monarch way, ratchet up the stakes of the relationships as well. I can tease that the relationships really get ratcheted up.

What Russell's Statement Means For Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters Season 2

Apex Is Going To Be A Central Focus Of The Show

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 is expected to continue the story set up in season 1, with Apex now on Skull Island for unknown reasons. Kentaro (Ren Watabe) and Hiroshi (Takehiro Hira) have also allied themselves with the company, whose purpose on the island remains unclear. Much like season 1, the episodes will take place prior to the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and long before the cybernetic company creates Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong. Their exact purpose on the island will likely be revealed as the season plays out.

As for character relationships, the show has already hinted at a potential romance between Cate and May, something that could be officiated in season 2. Kentaro and Hiroshi working for a company the group already sees as untrustworthy might also factor in, with a potential rift forming in the cast of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters depending on what their overall purpose is. As for the younger version of Lee and the titular Monarch, their roles in the story remain unknown, but will no doubt be important parts of what happens going forward.

Our Take On How Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters Season 2 Will Play Out

Can The Series Add New Context To The Monsterverse?

With Russell teasing massive new story and relationship developments going forward, it seems like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will be deepening the Monsterverse's overarching lore. While it's unclear what Apex is doing on Skull Island, their presence could offer more context to the events of Godzilla vs. Kong, showing how they truly got started examining Titans for their goals. With the show already finished filming, it might not be much longer before more answers about the story and character developments are finally revealed.

Source: Collider