Rockclaw
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An unclassified species of Rock Critter (ロッククリーチャー Rokku Kurīchā, lit. "Rock Creature") appears in the Hollow Earth in the 2021 MonsterVerse film Godzilla vs. Kong.
Name
According to artist Ken Barthelmey, the creatures had no formal name during the production of Godzilla vs. Kong, with the staff opting to call them Rock Critters.[9][8] This name was also used in the film's art book and a display at Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji.[10] They have variously been identified as "Arachno-claw[s]" (a creature which appears in Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong) by HBO Max's English audio description for the film,[3][4] Lava Crabs by VFX supervisor John DesJardin,[5] lava creature[s] by artist Xander Smith,[7] Rock Crabs in PUBG Mobile,[6] and crab-creatures in the film's novelization. Despite this, the film's Japanese theater program lists them as unidentified organism (Rock Creature) (未確認生物（ロッククリーチャー）) and states that their designation by Monarch is "unknown."[2]
Development
The Rock Critters' design was laid down by Ken Barthelmey based on the description that they be a "camouflaged creature that blends in with the Hollow Earth rock."[8] According to artist Xander Smith, the creatures also "might have" been composed of crystals at one point in Godzilla vs. Kong's script.[11] Barthelmey took inspiration from crabs, adding claws which could extend from their shell and experimenting with various head and mouth designs; director Adam Wingard preferred a four-segmented, beak-like mouth.[8] Smith finalized the creatures' design in 3D using ZBrush.[11][12]
- Main article: Rock Critter/Gallery#Concept art.
Ken Barthelmey's first Rock Critter design
Ken Barthelmey's fourth Rock Critter design
Crystalline Rock Critter concept by Xander Smith
Xander Smith's early 3D maquette
Design
The Rock Critters are crab-like, with carapaces that resemble boulders when half-submerged in the ground. They have both endo- and exoskeletons, pincers with claws, and bony, beak-like mouths.
Personality
The Rock Critters are classified by Monarch as "destroyers," alongside the likes of King Ghidorah, the Warbats, and more.[2]
Ecology
Upon the examination of the stomach contents of Rock Critter specimens, traces of several minerals including granite, peridotite, magnesium and iron were discovered.[2]
History
MonsterVerse
Godzilla vs. Kong
As Kong dashed through the Hollow Earth, his footfalls awakened dozens of Rock Critters half-submerged in the earth. As they scrambled to hide, one was swiftly snatched up by a reptilian creature.
Abilities
Movement
The Rock Critters average a top land speed of 52 miles per hour, or roughly 84 kilometers per hour.[2]
Burrowing
The Rock Critters can also burrow beneath the ground at average speeds of 36 miles per hour, or roughly 58 kilometers per hour. As a result of this burrowing, the creatures can generate magnitude 2.4 earthquakes.[2]
Physical abilities
Pincers
The Rock Critters' pincers have a clamping force of 5,400 pounds per square inch, or roughly 37,200 kilopascals.[2]
Camouflage
The Rock Critters use their boulder-like carapaces to blend in with the ground of the Hollow Earth to hide from predators.
Miscellaneous
According to the Godzilla vs. Kong theater program, the Rock Critters are capable of three unspecified maneuvers: Pincer Bomb (ピンサー爆弾), Scatter Cutter (スキャッターカッター), and Boulder Dash (ボールダーダッシュ).[2]
Video games
- PUBG Mobile (2021) - Android and iOS
- Call of Duty: Warzone (2022) - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [cave painting]
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2022) - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [cave painting]
Books
Godzilla vs. Kong: The Official Movie Novelization
The Rock Critters act the same as they do in the film, although they are attacked by several reptiles instead of just one.
Gallery
- Main article: Rock Critter/Gallery.
References
This is a list of references for Rockclaw. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
Bibliography
- Toho Stella, ed. (14 May 2021). Godzilla vs. Kong (theater program). Toho Visual Entertainment.
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