Step into the Wild Nature of Daintree Rainforest
Part of the breathtaking backdrop for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is set in the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on the planet, estimated to be over 110 million years old.
Renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems, the Daintree Rainforest is home to a plethora of wildlife, making it a fitting location for the film that has spent many days filming various “exploration” sequences featuring many unique (and sometimes endangered) species. Biologists and environmental specialists directly collaborated with the production team to ensure that filming did not impact the rainforest’s environment, safeguarding the habitat of all living creatures as well as the safety of the film crew.
In the previous film segment, as viewers may know, the MONARCH organization discovered the Hollow Earth and successfully guided creatures down to this realm. In the new segment, audiences will be invited to explore the MONARCH base at the Hollow Earth, under the management of a famous scientific research team.
The iconic structure of architect Charles Wright – the Stamp House – has been chosen as the backdrop for the MONARCH base. The Stamp House is located at Cape Tribulation, right in the heart of the rainforest.
With its strong architectural structure surrounded by flowing water, trees, and lush vegetation, it provides a perfect setting that aligns with director Adam Wingard’s vision and the audience’s imagination of the MONARCH base in the Hollow Earth – if it were real. This also marks the first appearance of the Stamp House in a feature film.
A Mobile Studio Traveling Across the Globe
In the new film, the crew and cast of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire traveled to many countries, including Australia, Brazil, Gibraltar, Iceland, Italy, Morocco, and the United States. To accomplish this, the production team faced the challenge of transporting a significant amount of equipment and personnel across multiple countries, into some of the most challenging and dangerous environments.
Thus, a mobile studio was created. To film in the Daintree Rainforest in beautiful North Queensland, all equipment was transported by 55 trucks over a three-day journey spanning more than 2,000 kilometers.
Regarding the decision to film in Daintree, production manager Eric McLeod stated: “I could utilize a rainforest, bringing the actors into a forest to record scenes that would help them inhabit their roles better and create a more quality film. Especially in scenes that are entirely CG, our hope is to integrate real elements into the shot. For example, when Kong runs through the dense forest and crashes into a tree. If we film in a real rainforest, we can ensure that the scenes will feel alive and authentic compared to using a CG-created forest.”
As production moved into the filming locations, the reconstruction of scenes and the filmmaking process also required a significant workforce. 200 crew members worked continuously for three months to create the most realistic 3D visuals from the shooting locations. Production designer Tom Hammock created a “rainforest” spanning over 40,000 square feet, replicating over 1,000 different plant species to accommodate the necessary segments that needed to be executed indoors.
And to showcase the film crew’s dedication, they will be presented on-screen, proudly displayed as part of the film, as cinematographer Ben Seresin developed a unique lens to capture the film, aiming to integrate the real world with CGI seamlessly. Audiences will be immersed in a visually stunning world when experiencing Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on the big screen.
