Poor test screenings were the impetus for less human drama and more monster-on-monster mayhem with Godzilla Vs Kong.
A very minor spoiler for the film is contained within.
When Godzilla Vs Kong emerged just over a year ago, right in the middle of the pandemic, it was one of the first blockbuster films to release since cinemas had reopened. It proved to be an adroit release on the part of producers, with audiences more than ready for some big screen blockbuster entertainment. Whatever your take on the film itself, the monster-on-monster showdown would hoover up over $460m worldwide, not too shabby at all when you consider the circumstances surrounding its release.
Ambulance star Eiza González, who plays a fairly minor role in the film’s final cut, has been chatting to The Hollywood Reporter about the production and among other things, she revealed that the project’s original script and original cut were markedly different, with poor audience test screenings leading to the version we eventually got.
González played a minor character who met her end halfway through the film but she’s been reflecting on how the original story and supposed earlier cuts of the film featured different takes on her character, and others.
“My role completely changed in that movie, for sure. A lot of the story got cut out and the story was completely changed, so it was a bummer because my character had a whole different storyline that went in different routes. And Jessica [Henwick] getting cut out of the movie really affected all of the other characters”.
“But it wasn’t anything to do with Jessica’s character. It was just that the storyline changed because the movie is called Godzilla Vs Kong and it obviously has to service them. They’re the big stars. But listen, I’m just grateful that I got to do a really fun movie. So my experience was really good, but that’s just par for the course, sometimes.”
A poor test screening was widely reported in late 2019 which in turn led to director Adam Wingard overseeing the significant reshoots that González is referencing. By March of the following year, a new cut of the film was screened and reportedly fared much better with audiences. However, that later cut completely removed The Matrix Resurrections’ Jessica Henwick from the film, not to mention House Of Flying Daggers’ Zhang Ziyi, as well as significantly altering the stories of several other characters, including the one played by González.
It’s unlikely we’ll ever see that cut and González seems sanguine about the whole process. A sequel has been given the go-ahead by Warner Bros but the current direction is unclear with rumours suggesting it may not be a direct follow-up. We’ll bring you more on the project as we hear it.
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