We’ve now (arguably) got too many Russells playing too many Col. Lee Shaws on too many Apple TV shows set in Legendary’s “Monsterverse.” It’s cool — just hard to keep track of.
On Wednesday, Apple TV announced a prequel series for its Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which is a piece of Legendary’s expanding Monsterverse. The untitled series will focus on young Col. Lee Shaw, played by Wyatt Russell in both shows. In Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the older Col. Lee Shaw is played by Kurt Russell, Wyatt’s real-life father. No word yet on if dad will appear in the prequel.
Joby Harold will showrun the new series, under an overall deal with Legendary. Harold oversees the entire Monsterverse franchise as it pertains to Apple TV. He executive produces Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
Colonel Lee Shaw is an American operative who in 1984 went on a secret mission behind enemy lines in an attempt to stop the Soviets from unleashing a horrific new Titan big enough to destroy the U.S. and turn the tide of the Cold War.
Season two of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters debuts on Apple TV on Feb. 27, 2026.
The prequel series is executive produced by Harold and Tory Tunnell for Safehouse Pictures, alongside Wyatt Russell, Chris Black, Kyle Bradstreet, Alex Boden, Max Borenstein and Andy Goddard. It is produced by Kei Banno, Brian Rogers and Kenji Okuhira. Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce for Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Godzilla character. Toho licensed the rights to Legendary for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
“Viewers around the world haven’t been able to get enough of ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ since its global debut, and we cannot wait to unleash the electrifying new stories that Joby and the entire cast and creative team have been working on,” said Morgan Wandell, head of international development for Apple TV. “With Joby at the helm, and alongside our terrific partners at Legendary, this new spinoff will kick off an epic Monsterverse expansion that brings audiences even closer to their favorite Titans, along with fantastic character-driven storytelling.”
The Monsterverse began with the 2014 Godzilla film, continued with 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and most recently Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
“I could not feel more privileged to be a part of building out this wildly iconic universe,” Harold added. “Apple and Legendary have been exemplary partners throughout this process, and we will continue to bring these Titans of cinematic history to audiences with the reverence they deserve.”
“Joby is a remarkable storyteller with a deep understanding of what makes the Monsterverse resonate with fans globally,” said Jason Clodfelter, president and managing director at Legendary Television. “We’re thrilled to bring him and Safehouse Pictures into a broader partnership alongside Apple, marking an exciting new era for the franchise.”
Safehouse currently has a first-look television deal at Legendary TV and is repped by CAA and Goodman Genow Schenkman et al. Wyatt Russell is repped by UTA and Karl Austen of Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer.