Still from Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Cast and characters · by Cinvibe Editorial Team

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Cast: Who Plays Who in the 2019 Sequel

The Godzilla King of the Monsters cast is led by Kyle Chandler as Mark Russell, Vera Farmiga as Emma Russell and Millie Bobby Brown as their daughter, Madison Russell. Ken Watanabe returns as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, with Zhang Ziyi as Dr. Ilene Chen / Dr. Ling, Bradley Whitford as Dr. Rick Stanton, Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham and Charles Dance as the mercenary leader Alan Jonah. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), directed by Michael Dougherty, reached US theaters on May 31, 2019, as the sequel to Godzilla (2014). What sets this ensemble apart is the bridge it builds. Watanabe, Hawkins and David Strathairn carry their roles over from 2014, while the Associated Press reported that the sequel gave Brown, then best known for Stranger Things, her first big film role.

Image: TMDB
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) theatrical poster
Director
Michael Dougherty
Runtime
2h 12m
Credited cast
90 roles

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Cast List

#ActorCharacter
1Kyle ChandlerMark Russell
2Vera FarmigaEmma Russell
3Millie Bobby BrownMadison Russell
4Ken WatanabeDr. Ishiro Serizawa
5Zhang ZiyiDr. Ilene Chen / Dr. Ling
6Bradley WhitfordDr. Rick Stanton
7Sally HawkinsDr. Vivienne Graham
8Charles DanceAlan Jonah
9Thomas MiddleditchSam Coleman
10Aisha HindsColonel Diane Foster
11O'Shea Jackson Jr.Chief Warrant Officer Barnes
12David StrathairnAdmiral William Stenz
13Anthony RamosStaff Sergeant Martinez
14Elizabeth Faith LudlowFirst Lieutenant Griffin
15Jonathan HowardAsher Jonah
16CCH PounderSenator Williams
17Joe MortonDr. Houston Brooks
18Randy HavensDr. Tim Mancini
19Lyle BrocatoExecutive Officer Bowman
20Jimmy GonzalesCommander Crane
21T.C. MatherneMaster Sergeant Hendricks
22Kenneth IsraelArgo Deck Officer Zellner
23Justice LeakMonarch Officer Martin
24Al VicenteIsla de Mara Fisherman

Billing order from the film's credits (TMDB). Actors with a Cinvibe page and characters with a character page are linked.

Also in the cast: Rose Bianco (Isla de Mara Grandmother), Gabriel L. Silva (Isla de Mara Grandson), Skylar Denney (Argo Officer Arvin), Kelli Garner (Argo Officer Cross), Tyler Crumley (Young Andrew), Lexi Rabe (Young Madison), Zac Zedalis (Sergeant Travis), Tracie Garrison (Asaj), Natalie Shaheen (Lieutenant Bottin), Jesse O'Neill (Corporal Winston), Joshua Leary (Sergeant Baker), Vince Foster (G-Team Officer Tippett), Shauna Rappold (G-Team Officer Harryhausen), Fiona Hardingham (News Anchor #1), Orelon Sidney (News Anchor #2), Paul Ryden (News Anchor #3), Laurie Dhue (News Anchor #4), Kevin Shinick (Weather Man), T.J. Storm (Godzilla Performance Capture), Jason Liles (King Ghidorah Performance Capture), Alan Maxson (King Ghidorah Performance Capture), Richard Dorton (King Ghidorah Performance Capture), Seth Green (Fighter Pilot (uncredited)), Eli Roth (Fighter Pilot (uncredited)), James William Ballard (Mercenary (uncredited)), Joey Beni (Lt. Gentry (uncredited)), Gerardo Bosco (Isla de Mara Fat Runner (uncredited)), Madeline Brumby (G-Team (uncredited)), John David Bulla (Jonah's Mercenary #2 (uncredited)), Hans Bush (Colonel Bush (uncredited)), Andrea Antonio Canal (Argo Crew (uncredited)), Timothy Carr (Emt (uncredited)), Greg Clarkson (Anchor #5 (uncredited)), Michael Dougherty (Fighter Pilot (uncredited)), Robin Dyke (Monarch Scientist (uncredited)), Fred Galle (Egan (uncredited)), Christopher Bryan Gomez (Monarch Scientist (uncredited)), Clare Grant (Fighter Pilot (uncredited)), Anthony B. Harris (National Guard Soldier (uncredited)), Kasia Hart (Sonogram Technician (uncredited)), Cecil M. Henry (Ausprey Refueler (uncredited)), Maxwell Highsmith (Scientist (uncredited)), Mallory Hoff (Reporter #5 (uncredited)), Brian Kayode-Patrick Johnson (Boston Evacuee (uncredited)), Andrea Maiuro (Village Fisherman (uncredited)), Van Marten (Dr. Chen's Assistant (uncredited)), Shaun McLane (Submarine Pilot (uncredited)), Shaun McMillan (Aircraft Ground Crew (uncredited)), Roger K. Moore (Military Special Forces (uncredited)), Tony Morgan (Monarch Scientist (uncredited)), Stephen Moyer (Fighter Pilot (uncredited)), Leiloni Arrie Pharms (Terrified Little Girl (uncredited)), Sasha Rionda (Reporter (uncredited)), Diana Rombola (Argo Crew (uncredited)), Andres Salgado (Isis Guard (uncredited)), Zach Shields (Fighter Pilot (uncredited)), Beverley Simmons (Senator (uncredited)), Max Soliz (Village Fisherman (uncredited)), Thomas W. Stewart (Argo Crew (uncredited)), Joey Thurmond (Scientist (uncredited)), Miguel Angel Varela Fimbres (Street Scaping Daring Tourist (uncredited)), Buddy Watkins (Grounds Crew / Base Gaurd (uncredited)), Benjamin Weaver (Deck Officer (uncredited)), Jamie Wedel (Deck Commander (uncredited)), Michael David Yuhl (Paramedic (uncredited)), Robert Tinsley (Construction Worker (uncredited)).

Who Plays Whom in Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Kyle Chandler as Mark Russell

Kyle Chandler plays Mark Russell in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the estranged husband of Emma Russell and father of Madison Russell, who blames Godzilla for the death of their son and is asked by Monarch scientists to help find his family. TheWrap reported on March 27, 2017 that Chandler was heading the cast with Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown.

Vera Farmiga as Emma Russell

Vera Farmiga plays Emma Russell in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the scientist who uses a sound device called the Orca to calm the newly hatched Mothra before armed mercenaries take her, her daughter Madison and the device from a remote Monarch base. Her casting as the mother of Millie Bobby Brown's character was in place by late March 2017, when TheWrap listed her among the three actors heading the film.

Millie Bobby Brown as Madison Russell

Madison Russell, the daughter of Mark and Emma Russell in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, is played by Millie Bobby Brown. Madison watches the new Mothra hatch and is taken from the Monarch base along with her mother. The Associated Press reported on January 28, 2017 that the 12 year old Stranger Things actor had landed her first big film role here, and that she was the only cast member known at that point.

Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa

Ken Watanabe returns in Godzilla: King of the Monsters as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, the scientist he first played in Godzilla (2014), and TMDB credits him in the same role in both films. The A.V. Club reported on March 27, 2017 that he would reprise the part, at a time when the announced cast was still mostly the new Russell family.

Zhang Ziyi as Dr. Ilene Chen / Dr. Ling

Zhang Ziyi is credited as Dr. Ilene Chen / Dr. Ling in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. TheWrap reported on June 8, 2017 that she had joined the film as a member of Monarch, the scientific organization first shown in Godzilla (2014) and also featured in Kong: Skull Island. The same report described it as a recurring role across the Warner Bros. and Legendary series.

Bradley Whitford as Dr. Rick Stanton

Bradley Whitford plays Dr. Rick Stanton in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, one of several scientists in the ensemble. Variety reported his casting in early June 2017, and in April 2018 TheWrap listed him among the previously announced cast while reporting on the performance capture team for King Ghidorah.

Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham

Sally Hawkins is back in Godzilla: King of the Monsters as Dr. Vivienne Graham, a role TMDB also lists under her name for Godzilla (2014). The A.V. Club, citing Deadline, reported on May 19, 2017 that she would reprise the part, in the same story that announced Charles Dance had joined the cast.

Charles Dance as Alan Jonah

Charles Dance plays Alan Jonah in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the leader of the armed mercenaries who raid a Monarch base and take Emma Russell, Madison Russell and a sound device called the Orca. When his casting was reported on May 19, 2017, the A.V. Club noted that nothing was known about his role yet, and the report did not name his character.

Thomas Middleditch as Sam Coleman

Thomas Middleditch plays Sam Coleman in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and TheWrap reported his casting on May 31, 2017, crediting Variety with the first report and noting that plot details were still unknown. The A.V. Club added that Middleditch had already had a small voice cameo in Kong: Skull Island, as a character who never appears on screen.

Aisha Hinds as Colonel Diane Foster

Aisha Hinds plays Colonel Diane Foster in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, billed tenth in the TMDB credits and the first of the military characters in that order. Deadline reported in April 2017 that Hinds had joined the Legendary production, and by May 31, 2017 the A.V. Club was listing her among the previously announced cast.

O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Chief Warrant Officer Barnes

O'Shea Jackson Jr. plays Chief Warrant Officer Barnes in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and TheWrap reported on March 27, 2017 that he was in talks to join the film. The A.V. Club, citing Variety, reported the same day that he was joining, and noted that he made his film debut playing a younger version of his father, Ice Cube, in Straight Outta Compton.

David Strathairn as Admiral William Stenz

David Strathairn returns in Godzilla: King of the Monsters as Admiral William Stenz, the role TMDB credits to him in Godzilla (2014) as well. Billed twelfth in the sequel, he carries the military thread of the first film forward, while Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins carry over its scientists.

How the Godzilla King of the Monsters Cast Came Together

The Godzilla King of the Monsters cast came together across 2017, beginning with Millie Bobby Brown in January and filling out through spring and early summer. The Associated Press reported Brown's casting on January 28, 2017, when she was the only known cast member and Michael Dougherty was attached to direct. By March 27, TheWrap reported that Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Brown headed the film, with O'Shea Jackson Jr. in talks to join them.

Deadline reported Aisha Hinds in April, and May brought Charles Dance and the returning Sally Hawkins (both reported on May 19), then Thomas Middleditch on May 31. Variety reported Bradley Whitford in early June, and TheWrap reported on June 8 that Zhang Ziyi had signed for a recurring role across the series.

The monsters had casting news of their own. TheWrap reported in April 2018 that Jason Liles, fresh from playing the albino gorilla in Rampage, would be one of several performance capture actors behind King Ghidorah, and the credits list Alan Maxson and Richard Dorton beside him, with T.J. Storm credited for Godzilla. For the plot and the ending, the godzilla king of the monsters page has the full rundown.

Who Returns From Godzilla (2014), and Who Is New?

Three actors carry their characters over from Godzilla (2014), directed by Gareth Edwards: Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham and David Strathairn as Admiral William Stenz, according to TMDB credits for both films. T.J. Storm returns in a quieter way, because TMDB lists him as the uncredited Godzilla performance capture in 2014 and credits him for the same job here.

There is a nod to Kong: Skull Island too, since Joe Morton is credited as Dr. Houston Brooks, and TMDB lists Corey Hawkins as Houston Brooks in that film. Everyone else near the top of the billing is new on screen in this franchise, from the Russell family to Zhang Ziyi, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Aisha Hinds and O'Shea Jackson Jr. (Thomas Middleditch had only been heard, not seen, in Kong: Skull Island). If you are lining up all the films, the monsterverse movies hub sets out every entry in one place.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Director and Crew

DirectorMichael Dougherty
WritersMichael Dougherty, Zach Shields, Max Borenstein
ProducersJon Jashni, Mary Parent, Brian Rogers, Thomas Tull, Alex Garcia, Julian Fleming
MusicBear McCreary
CinematographyLawrence Sher

Monsterverse cast

Facts

  • Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) was released in US theaters on May 31, 2019. TMDB, checked 2026-11-11
  • Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) was directed by Michael Dougherty and runs 132 minutes. TMDB, checked 2026-11-11
  • The Associated Press reported on January 28, 2017 that 12 year old Millie Bobby Brown had landed her first big film role in the Godzilla sequel and was its only known cast member at the time. Associated Press (via Fox News), checked 2026-11-11
  • TheWrap reported on March 27, 2017 that Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown headed the cast and that O'Shea Jackson Jr. was in talks to join. TheWrap, checked 2026-11-11
  • The A.V. Club reported on March 27, 2017 that Ken Watanabe would reprise his role from Godzilla (2014). The A.V. Club, checked 2026-11-11
  • The A.V. Club, citing Deadline, reported on May 19, 2017 that Charles Dance had joined the cast and that Sally Hawkins would return as Dr. Vivienne Graham. The A.V. Club, checked 2026-11-11
  • TheWrap reported on May 31, 2017 that Thomas Middleditch had joined the cast, with Variety reporting it first. TheWrap, checked 2026-11-11
  • TheWrap reported on June 8, 2017 that Zhang Ziyi would play a member of Monarch in a recurring MonsterVerse role. TheWrap, checked 2026-11-11
  • TheWrap reported on April 26, 2018 that Jason Liles, who played the albino gorilla in Rampage, was one of several motion capture actors playing King Ghidorah. TheWrap, checked 2026-11-11
  • TMDB credits Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham and David Strathairn as Admiral William Stenz in Godzilla (2014), the same roles they play in the sequel. TMDB, checked 2026-11-11
  • TMDB lists T.J. Storm as the uncredited Godzilla performance capture in Godzilla (2014). TMDB, checked 2026-11-11
  • Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) earned $387,300,138 worldwide on a $170,000,000 budget. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-11

FAQs

Who played Madison in Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

Millie Bobby Brown played Madison Russell in Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), the daughter of Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) and Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga). The Associated Press reported in January 2017 that the role was her first big film part, announced while she was best known as Eleven in Stranger Things, and she was the only cast member known at the time.

Is Ken Watanabe in Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

Yes, Ken Watanabe is in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, returning as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa from Godzilla (2014). He is billed fourth, behind the three actors who play the Russell family, and the A.V. Club reported his return in March 2017, while the sequel's cast was still being assembled around Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown.

How old was Millie Bobby Brown in Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

Millie Bobby Brown was 12 when her casting in Godzilla: King of the Monsters was announced, according to the Associated Press report of January 28, 2017. The film reached US theaters on May 31, 2019, a little over two years after that announcement. The same report noted that she was then best known for playing Eleven on the Netflix series Stranger Things.

Who is the villain in Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

The human villain in Godzilla: King of the Monsters is Alan Jonah, played by Charles Dance, who leads the armed mercenaries that raid a Monarch base and take Emma Russell, Madison Russell and the Orca. On the monster side, TheWrap described King Ghidorah as Godzilla's three headed archenemy, a creature brought to life partly through performance capture by Jason Liles, Alan Maxson and Richard Dorton.

Did the cast of Godzilla 2014 return for King of the Monsters?

Part of the Godzilla (2014) cast returned for Godzilla: King of the Monsters, with Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins and David Strathairn reprising their roles, according to TMDB credits for both films. Leads from the first film such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston do not appear in the sequel's main credits, which instead build the story around the new Russell family.

Who plays Godzilla in Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

T.J. Storm is credited for Godzilla performance capture in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and TMDB lists him in the same job, uncredited, on Godzilla (2014). Performance capture is one ingredient in the finished creature, and TheWrap described the King Ghidorah actors' work the same way, as a contribution to the final version of the monster.

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