Wyatt Russell has revealed exciting news about the upcoming Monsterverse spinoff series focused on his character, Lee Shaw. The untitled show, set in the 1980s, is scheduled to begin filming this summer on Apple TV, marking a fresh chapter in the expanding Monsterverse franchise. As Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 continues its weekly release on the platform, fans eagerly await this new prequel that promises a distinct tone and narrative style.
Details on the New Series and Production Timeline
The Lee Shaw spinoff, announced in December 2025, centers on Monarch reactivating Shaw to counter a Soviet threat involving a powerful Titan during the Cold War. While Godzilla is expected to make an appearance, other familiar Monarch characters have not yet been confirmed. Initially, executive producer Tory Tunnell indicated filming would start in spring, but Russell’s recent statement suggests production is set for the summer, reflecting a fast-tracked schedule within the first half of the year.
Distinct Tone and Creative Vision
Russell emphasized that this series will diverge significantly from Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, offering viewers a new genre experience within the Monsterverse. He expressed enthusiasm for the scripts and showrunner Joby Harold’s inspired approach to the project, highlighting the creative team’s dedication early in pre-production.
“We are shooting it this summer, and I’ve read the scripts. They’re very well written. I’m more excited to start working on this than I have been about anything in a long time. The genre that the Lee Shaw show will live in is totally separate from the genre Monarch lives in, and it’s very different in a way that I think is really exciting. I think people will expect one thing when they watch it, and that expectation will be completely subverted. Early on in the show, people are going to be like, ‘This is wild. This is so different from what I thought I was going to be watching — in the best way.’ Joby Harold is showrunning and writing, and he’s so inspired, as are the people we’ve gotten to work on the show so far. It is still early days in terms of pre-production, but I’m over-the-moon excited about it. Everybody is. It’s exciting to expand the Monsterverse, and hopefully, for the next 10 or 15 years or however long, people can get excited about this new wave of storytelling that will come out of the Monsterverse. It focuses on the humans, but the monsters are still a big part of it, so it’s really fun to be able to help create that.” – Wyatt Russell, Actor
Expansion of the Monsterverse Through Multiple Projects
This new series represents a broader expansion strategy for the Monsterverse, branching out across TV and film. Alongside the ongoing Monarch season 2, which adds depth to the franchise’s storylines, the highly anticipated film Godzilla x Kong: Supernova is scheduled for release in theaters on March 26, 2027. The Lee Shaw spinoff is expected to be the first of several new Apple TV projects within this growing universe.
Wyatt Russell’s Ongoing Role in the Franchise
In Monarch season 2’s premiere, Russell continues to portray a younger Lee Shaw in flashbacks, a role he hopes to maintain for an extended period. His enthusiasm for playing Shaw and contributing to diverse storylines in the Monsterverse reflects a commitment to the franchise’s long-term growth.
What Fans Can Expect Going Forward
As filming approaches, more details about the series will likely emerge, though currently, Russell appears to be the only confirmed returning character from earlier projects. The show’s unique approach compared to Monarch suggests it will carve out its own identity within the Titan-centered universe. Meanwhile, new episodes of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 are released weekly on Fridays via Apple TV, continuing to build momentum for the expanding Monsterverse narrative.
