J.D. Dillard is set to direct the pilot episode of Apple TV+’s untitled Monsterverse series, with Millie Brady and Pilou Asbaek boarding the project in undisclosed roles, according to Deadline.
The two join previously announced lead Wyatt Russell, who reprises Young Lee Shaw, a character he originated in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Russell’s father Kurt Russell plays the older version of the character in that series.
Dillard, whose directing credits include Devotion and The Outside, takes the helm of the pilot for the series developed by showrunner Joby Harold. Set in 1984, the story follows Colonel Lee Shaw, an American operative sent on a covert mission behind enemy lines to prevent the Soviets from unleashing a Titan powerful enough to destroy the United States and shift the balance of the Cold War.
The series is executive produced by Harold and Tory Tunnell for Safehouse Pictures, alongside Russell, Chris Black, Kyle Bradstreet, Alex Boden and Dillard. Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce on behalf of Toho Co., Ltd., owner of the Godzilla character. Harold is also developing additional series set within the Monsterverse for Apple TV+, featuring both new and returning Titans.
Legendary’s Monsterverse spans the 2014 Godzilla film through Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, with the next theatrical installment, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, set for release in 2027.