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The ‘Godzilla x Kong’ actress paid tribute to her young costar after Hottle’s death at 18. Hottle died following a car crash on Tuesday, July 21
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- Rebecca Hall shared heartfelt photos and memories of Kaylee Hottle, her on-screen daughter in the MonsterVerse films
- Hottle, who was Deaf, played a pivotal role in the franchise, forming an emotional bond with Kong that fans loved
- Stars like Millie Bobby Brown and Marlee Matlin have also paid tribute to Hottle following news of her tragic death
Rebecca Hall is remembering her Godzilla costar Kaylee Hottle.
Following the news that Hottle died at age 18 after a car accident in Maryland on Tuesday, July 21, Hall, 44, shared a series of touching photos with the young actress on Instagram, honoring the star who played her on-screen daughter in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
“Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee,” Hall captioned her post.
The tribute included behind-the-scenes moments from the pair’s time working together in the MonsterVerse franchise, where Hall portrayed scientist Dr. Ilene Andrews, and Hottle played Jia, the Deaf orphan she adopts. Across two films, the duo formed one of the emotional cores of the franchise, with Jia’s unique bond with Kong becoming a fan-favorite storyline.
Hall had previously spoken warmly about working with Hottle while promoting 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Reflecting on one of the film’s most emotional scenes, Hall recalled how movie magic sometimes made it difficult to keep a straight face on set.
“When it comes to imagining Godzilla and Kong, that’s tough,” Hall told PEOPLE. “That’s tough, because more often than not it’s a tennis ball on a stick.”
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She added, “Actually, at one pivotal moment when Jia reaches across and touches Kong’s hand, they literally had a foam hand with a pointy finger that they were just putting up towards her. That was hard not to laugh at.”
Despite the occasional absurdity of acting opposite CGI creatures, Hall said she embraced the unique challenge of bringing the franchise’s emotional moments to life.
“It was tough, but I take a kind of perverse pleasure in saying very serious lines to a tennis ball on a stick. I don’t know, it’s an interesting challenge,” Hall said. “I just save up the laughter and then laugh a lot when someone calls cut — and try not to take myself too seriously, even though the character is taking themselves very seriously.”
Hall is one of several stars who have paid tribute to Hottle since news of her death broke.
Millie Bobby Brown, who starred alongside Hottle in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, shared a black-and-white photo of the actress holding a toy Kong figure on her Instagram Stories.
“I’m so devastated to hear this,” Brown, 22, wrote. “You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”
Oscar-winning actress and Deaf community advocate Marlee Matlin, who is known for activism on behalf of Deaf individuals in Hollywood, also remembered Hottle in a heartfelt social media post.
“I am absolutely gutted about the passing of sweet Kaylee Hottle. May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity,” Matlin, 60, wrote on Instagram. “Such a privilege to have met Kaylee last year. Please be kind to one another. Take the time to listen to your child. Say 🤟🏼 each time you part. 🩵.”
News of Hottle’s death was first reported by TMZ on Tuesday. Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed that she was involved in a serious car accident in Maryland and died while being transported to a hospital.
Read the original article on People
