How ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ updated four iconic kaiju characters

For “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” director Michael Dougherty, grabbing a big bowl of cereal and watching the Hanna-Barbera “Godzilla” cartoon on TV was a Saturday morning ritual growing up. “You should always be able to recognize your creature strictly from the silhouette, without having to rely on any extra details.” RELATED: ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ scales box office; ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Ma’ open solid » Godzilla, Ghidorah, Mothra and Rodan got more than just visual updates: Dougherty also considered each creature’s personality and backstory to make sure they were fully realized characters rather than just giant monsters. “What makes ‘Godzilla’ movies special is that these movies are asking you to emotionally identify and sympathize with nonhuman heroes and villains,” said Dougherty. Ghidorah’s debut film, 1964’s “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster,” which Dougherty described as “sort of the ‘Avengers’ of Godzilla movies,” saw Mothra, Godzilla and Rodan team up to take down the dragon-like beast. “Rodan was the first creature in the Toho universe that could take to the skies,” said Dougherty, recalling the creature’s 1956 debut.