The ultra-mega rivalry, Godzilla vs. Kong was shot by cinematographer Ben Seresin ASC, BSC on the ARRI ALEXA 65 camera paired with the dedicated Prime DNA lenses. Furthermore, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage was revealed. Check it out below.
Godzilla vs. Kong – Directed by Adam Wingard: From independent to mega-budget
Godzilla vs. Kong is a 2021 American mega-monster (and budget) film directed by Adam Wingard and shot by DP Ben Seresin ASC, BSC. The film is a sequel to Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) combined with Kong: Skull Island (2017). The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, and Demián Bichir. Till now, Wingard’s films were characterized by a typically quite small budget, working within the parameters of independent financing (~$5 million for production).
Thus, directing Godzilla vs. Kong constitutes a big blockbuster jump. The film received praise from critics for its action sequences and special effects, but criticism for the thinly-written human characters, which is very common in films like this. The principal photography began on November 12, 2018 and took place in Hawaii in the U.S. and in Queensland, Australia.
Shot on ARRI ALEXA 65
The film was shot with the ALEXA 65 to meet the most demanding standards of the huge canvas (=IMAX theaters), with the hope that as more people get vaccinated, their comfort level with going back to the movies will surely increase, putting more people back in theaters for the film.
The ALEXA 65 (6K) camera was announced in 2014. As with cameras from competitor Panavision, the ARRI 65 is available by rental only, provided through the ARRI Rental Group. The camera utilizes the 3x the ALEV-III Sensor of the ALEXA Mini that was stitched together (multiplied by 3). That design makes this sensor to be the closest in size compared to IMAX cameras.
Indeed, the ARRI 65 camera is certified by IMAX as a part of the “Filmed In IMAX” program. The first production to use the camera was Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, which was used to shoot the underwater sequence, and around 40% of The Revenant shot by Emmanuel Lubezki. Furthermore, the camera has a customized IMAX version defined as ARRI ALEXA 65 IMAX which was exclusively utilized on Avengers. A few months ago, ARRI has released its ALEXA 65 showreel. Make sure to check our article in regard.
Prime DNA lenses
The glass behind Godzilla vs. Kong is the Prime DNA lens, which was dedicated to the ALEXA 65. Those lenses are characterized by a softer and creamier texture, and “were designed to have more personality and to be customized to the needs of a cinematographer for a particular project and a specific set of optical goals”.
Check out the BTS video below which shows the equipment in action:
The release of the film
After being delayed from a November 2020 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Godzilla vs. Kong was theatrically released internationally on March 24, 2021, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 31, where it will be released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max ( for 31 days from theatrical release). The film will be released in 2D and 3D in select theaters and IMAX as well. It is rated PG-13. Explore its trailer below:
