The international trailer for Godzilla vs. Kong shows why Kong will need an axe if he hopes to stand a chance against the King of the Monsters. The size upgrade isn’t the only change the MonsterVerse is making to Kong for their big fight.

Footage for the upcoming fourth installment in Legendary’s MonsterVerse has previewed an epic grudge match between two rival Titans. The movie will be their first big-screen showdown since the two crossed paths in 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla. Similar to the first film, it would seem that the movie’s human characters are resting their hopes on Kong. Godzilla, on the other hand, is being perceived as the villain. For reasons that haven’t been properly explained, Godzilla is launching attacks on both the humans and Kong, who is apparently an ancestral enemy of his species. Based on what’s been seen so far, the fight will be a huge challenge for both Titans. That’s largely due to the fact that the MonsterVerse supersized Kong following the events of Kong: Skull Island.

In addition to that, Kong will be carrying into battle an axe capable of catching Godzilla’s atomic breath. The inclusion of the axe suggests that simply eliminating the size difference wouldn’t have been enough to even the odds. The international version of the Godzilla vs. Kong trailer provides an explanation for why the axe is necessary. The new footage leaves the impression that Kong is physically outmatched by Godzilla and may not be able to win without it.

This idea was demonstrated by their clash on the aircraft carrier. After jumping in the air, Kong is seen punching Godzilla in the face. With the great amount of power he puts into the punch, Kong manages to force Godzilla back. The international trailer shows how Godzilla reacts: with a slap that mirrors the movements of a bear, Godzilla knocks Kong clean off his feet and onto his back. What’s striking about that is how easily Godzilla was able to floor Kong, whereas the ape was only able to make Godzilla stumble. What this indicates is that even though the two are the same size now, Godzilla is still significantly stronger than Kong.

As strong as Kong may be, he’s just not on Godzilla’s level when it comes to raw power. What this means is that if their fight is just a contest of brute strength, Godzilla is unlikely to lose. That’s why victory for Kong will have to depend on other factors, such as Kong’s unusual axe and his agility. His quickness and his ability to jump and dodge will be essential to surviving against Godzilla’s attacks, but the vast amount of strength Godzilla possesses (and the atomic breath) are signs that just having this one advantage won’t be enough to take Godzilla down. That’s where the axe will come in, because what it gives Kong is a deadly offense. To overcome the King of the Monsters in Godzilla vs. Kong, Kong will need a weapon powerful enough to tear through his flesh and leave a fatal wound.