Kaylee Hottle discusses her key role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, what it was like to return to the franchise, and the new challenges she faced.
Kaylee Hottle returns as Gia, a role she first took on in Godzilla vs Kong, in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. While her character was very important in the last film, she takes on a much larger role this time around. Gia is hard of hearing which allows her to connect with Kong on a deeper level.
We sat down with Kaylee to discuss the importance of her role this time around as well as what it was like to return to the franchise.
Kaylee Hottle Discusses Her Key Role In Godzilla x Kong
Mama’s Geeky: Without any spoilers, you’re such a key part of the plot in the new movie. What was your reaction when you first read the script?
Kaylee Hottle: I think when I was reading the script, I was like, oh, man, this is not going to be as small of a role. 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.
She also goes on to say that the most challenging part of playing Gia is that she has to make up the bond with Kong because there’s not somebody she acts alongside. She has to fake who she is acting with. And honestly, she never thought she would be an actor.
When Kaylee initially got the role, she was just ten years old. Now she is sixteen years old in the second film. Kaylee offers advice for people with disabilities: be patient. That role and that opportunity will come up for you. You just have to keep going for it. Whether you are feeling that struggle, or not, keep going and you will reach that goal.
Mama’s Geeky: You return to the Monsterverse in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Did you find it easier this time around because you’ve already been immersed into this world or did you find a whole new set of challenges?
Kaylee Hottle: Being back now, it’s great feeling. I felt ready to act. In the first movie, it was my very first experience, and I didn’t know what to do. But they had great accessibility on set. Going to the second movie, that was one of my main concerns, but it was great accessibility and having this quote unquote, new character, a new side of Gia is very nice, and I very much enjoyed it.
Kaylee admits that she always looks forward to the travel aspect of filming. That going to Australia and the islands, as well in filming in the rain forest, was exciting for her.
See Kaylee Hottle in action when Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire comes to theaters on March 29th.
NEXT: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Review
About Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire
The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of “Godzilla vs. Kong” with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.
Once again at the helm is director Adam Wingard. The film stars Rebecca Hall (“Godzilla vs. Kong,” “The Night House”), Brian Tyree Henry (“Godzilla vs. Kong,” “Bullet Train”), Dan Stevens (“Gaslit,” “Legion,” “Beauty and the Beast”), Kaylee Hottle (“Godzilla vs. Kong”), Alex Ferns (“The Batman,” “Wrath of Man,” “Chernobyl”) and Fala Chen (“Irma Vep,” “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”).
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire comes to theaters March 29th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.