“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is the latest installment of the Kaiju-centered Monsterverse. The sequel sees the two legendary rival titans unite once more to face off against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. Though these films are about the titular kaiju, a human element is also at play that allows the audience to connect to the story.
ThatsItLA joined their fellow bloggers to talk to the scene-stealing deaf actress Kaylee Hottle, who reprises her role as Jia, a young orphan who has a close bond with Kong. Set a few years after “Godzilla vs Kong,” “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. The epic new film will delve further into these Titans’ histories, origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.
Jia’s life has also changed. She no longer has that bond with Kong and lives with Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall), the most authoritative on all things kaiju. She is also struggling in school and cannot make any connections with her classmates. As such, she has trouble fitting in. However, when a new threat emerges, Jia may be the only one who can save humanity from an undiscovered threat that could wipe out Godzilla and Kong.
Hottle never thought she would be an actor. She got the role of Jia in “Godzilla vs. Kong” at ten. Six years later, she reprises that role, which is far more prominent this time as the audience’s guide to understanding the rivalry between Godzilla and Kong and the massive world-building that expands the Monsterverse mythology.
“I think about how Gia is as a character when I’m acting toward her,” Hottle signed through an interpreter. “I practiced what she would do and say and talked to Adam as well.”
The young actor also signed some of the most challenging aspects of filming against something that wasn’t there. “I think the most challenging part is that I have to make up the bond with Kong because, you know, there’s not somebody I can act alongside with. So I have to fake who I’m acting alongside with.”
According to the actor, another difficult scene to shoot was with Fala Chen’s character, who we won’t reveal to keep from spoiling the film. “I had to make up a telepathic communication with her. And it was hard because it’s kind of an awkward thing to do,” she signed. “But I grin and bear it and acted through it, but that was very difficult.”
Though filming on location takes time away from her school and friends, she is very grateful for the opportunity to travel to places like Australia. “Being in the second movie just feels so surreal, and having such a big role was great, but I think my biggest challenge was leaving home,” Hottle signed. “You know, being at school and home is probably one of my favorite places to be. Traveling for three months and not seeing my friends or family as often was a bit challenging. But all the result makes all of my hard work worth it and being gone for so long.”
The sequel also meant more of an expansive role for Hottle. Not only do we get to see more of her character and the relationship she shares with her adoptive mother, but we also explore the origins of her people and how they are connected to the Kaijus. However, the actor admits she wasn’t prepared to play a more significant part in the Monsterverse. “I think when I was reading the script, I was like, oh, man, this is not going to be as small of a role,” she signed. “But you know, when we went to filming, and they started adding more to my role and my character, and now seeing this, being in this world with the character, ‘Wow, it was so great and inspiring.'”
Returning to the franchise was an excellent feeling for the young actor, and reprising her role gave her a new perspective on her character. “I felt ready to act in the first movie. It was my very first experience, and I didn’t know what to do. But there was great accessibility on set. Going to the second movie was one of my main concerns,” Hottle said. “But it was great accessibility, and having this quote unquote, new character, and a new sight of Jia is very nice. I very much enjoyed it.”
Hottle was also aware of the challenges of making her sign clear and the opportunity to show the beauty of American Sign Language. And she also had an ASL master on set to ensure her signage was clear. “I want to make sure that my sign is clear enough and that I am portraying the character and her sign language,” she said. “You know, I had an ASL master on set that would help me rearrange the sign language or translate it better. So that’s what I think was the biggest challenge.”
As for what it was like on the set, Hottle signs that her two co-stars Dan Stevens, who plays Trapper, a Kaiju medic, and Brian Tyree Henry, who reprises his role as Kaiju conspirator podcaster Bernie Hayes, were one of the two who most likely break character. As to what it was like reuniting with Rebecca Hall, the young actor was impressed with how her co-star’s ASL improved since they last worked together. “It is nice that she’s able to communicate with me even if it is using a little bit of sign language, even if I haven’t seen her in a long time,” Hottle signed. “It always feels very warm-hearted and nice to see her again.”
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” opens in theaters on March 29, 2024.
