Jia is a character who first appeared in the 2021 Legendary Pictures film Godzilla vs. Kong and returned in its 2024 sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. A deaf orphaned Iwi girl, Jia has formed a special bond with Kong, who cares for and protects her. She is able to communicate with Kong via sign language.
Now there's a new movie coming out -- 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' -- and it's bringing the two titans together. This time the two behemoths are teaming to save the human race. But they can't do it without Jia, played by Kaylee Hottle, a fourth-generation deaf actress who gives the movie its heart.
Ilene Andrews isn't going too badly either. Jia, her adopted daughter, is having a hard time fitting in with other kids at school. But that's not difficult to understand. The girl is the deaf, last living member of the Iwi tribe from Kong's Skull Island, after all.
HOLLYWOOD -- Actress Kaylee Hottle is only 16 years old, but she's completely comfortable on the set of a big-budget movie. "Godzilla x Kong the New Empire" is only her second film, and Kaylee is honored to be able to represent the deaf community in this big screen blockbuster.
Godzilla and Kong with Subtitles (Godzilla vs Kong)
Who is the girl who can talk to Kong?
Jia is a character who first appeared in the 2021 Legendary Pictures film Godzilla vs. Kong and returned in its 2024 sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. A deaf orphaned Iwi girl, Jia has formed a special bond with Kong, who cares for and protects her. She is able to communicate with Kong via sign language.
Godzilla's Pink Atomic Power Is A Result Of His Evolution
As revealed in Godzilla x Kong, Godzilla's completely revamped appearance was a direct result of another Titan's energy. Specifically, the pink upgrade came courtesy of Tiamat, one of the 11 unseen monsters mentioned in Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
Deaf since she was 18 months old, Matlin made her acting debut playing Sarah Norman in the romantic drama film Children of a Lesser God (1986), winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. She is the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award, as well as the youngest winner in the Best Actress category.
Jia replaces the traditional twin fairies known as the Shobijin as Mothra's communicator in Godzilla x Kong. Her connection to both Mothra and Kong hints at her future role in the Monsterverse. Jia's psychic abilities make her a key human link to the Titans, shaping the franchise's narrative.
Kong didn't bow before Godzilla like the other Titans did in King of the Monsters, and more than that, Kong is inherently a threat to Godzilla's kingship. Add that to the fact that Godzilla can feel Kong's every move with his planet-scoping power, and the ultimate battle between the two was completely unavoidable.
Godzilla roars in acknowledgement and respect for Kong, seeing him as an equal and a friend (same with Kong respecting Godzilla as an equal and a friend) before returning to the sea and disappearing beneath the waves as Kong and the gathered humans watch on, safe in the knowledge that the world is finally at peace.
Although not necessarily evil, Emma is willing to take drastic and unpredictable measures in her best efforts to save and protect her family at all costs. In doing so, she accidentally unleashed Godzilla's nemesis King Ghidorah and intended to use him to restore balance.
Kaylee Hottle (May 1, 2007), is a deaf American actress, known for her role of Jia Andrews in the Legendary's MonsterVerse films Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024).
Her parents were killed by Skull Crawlers. 3 years, before in the aftermath of Camazotz's rampage on Skull Island which caused dangerous and unpredictable storms that eventually wiped out most of the Iwi. But Jia herself was spared due to Kong protecting her and the two formed a bond and kinship.
A lot of thought went into this new form for the King of Monsters. While it is confirmed to be temporary, it does open the door for Godzilla to evolve even further. It isn't even limited to him.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire lead creature designer says Goku's Kaio-Ken inspired Godzilla's new look. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire's lead character designer Jared Krichevsky revealed that Godzilla's new neon pink transformation was inspired by one of Goku's earliest power-ups in Dragon Ball Z.
Despite popular misconception, Godzilla had never been green, instead always being colored a dark gray or black. The next film, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), would also feature the character in green as this suit was reused for that film.
Despite Ann's sheer terror, Kong falls in love with her and takes her to his home inside a massive cavern atop Skull Mountain. She is rescued from the cavern by Driscoll and his comrades, only to be ruthlessly pursued back to the native village by an enraged Kong, who will stop at nothing to get her back.
This being said, he falls in love with her not only because of her beauty, but because of her courage and compassion. In this portrayal, she is described as having a bit more edge, as she works for her survival, takes more chances, and even forms a special relationship with Kong.
