Gareth Edwards Pulls Out of Directing Godzilla 2

Godzilla 2 only just got a new release date of March 22, 2019, and perhaps partially that was to accomodate a new director. That's because Gareth Edwards, who directed the first, has left the project, Deadline reports.

Edwards moved directly from Godzilla into Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and reportedly has smaller, more personal projects he's hoping to tackle after two major franchise tentpole movies back to back. The split is reportedly "amicable" with Legendary and Warner Bros. and it's been left open for Edwards to work with them in the future.

The Godzilla franchise will be expanding, as well, clashing with King Kong in the aptly and succinctly titled Godzilla vs Kong, dated for May 20, 2020. Now both films will search for directors to help launch the giant monster genre back off the ground.