Rebecca Hall, Millie Bobby Brown Pay Tribute to Late Actress Kaylee Hottle

The "MonsterVerse" family is grieving together. Kaylee Hottle, beloved by audiences for her portrayal of Jia in the "Godzilla vs. Kong" franchise, has died at just 18 years old following a car accident.

Rebecca Hall took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 21, to honor Kaylee Hottle, who played her onscreen daughter across two blockbuster films, after word of her passing spread.

Kaylee Hottle and Rebecca Hall attend the world premiere of "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" at the TCL Chinese Theater on March 25, 2024 in Hollywood. | Source: Getty Images

Hottle's father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed that the former child star had been involved in a serious car accident in Maryland and died while en route to the hospital.

"Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee," Hall wrote. Alongside her message, the 44-year-old filmmaker posted a series of never-before-seen photos taken with Hottle on the set of the "Godzilla vs. Kong" films.

A photo from Rebecca Hall's post, shared on July 21, 2026. | Source: Instagram/rebeccahall

The first image captures a playful, candid moment outdoors, with Hall's daughter Ida in the frame alongside the pair. Hall laughs as she holds Ida, who points at something out of view, drawing Hottle's attention as she looks on with a warm smile.

The rest of the tribute featured additional behind-the-scenes snapshots from the duo's time together in the "MonsterVerse" franchise, where Hall starred as scientist Dr. Ilene Andrews and Hottle played Jia, the Deaf orphan her character adopts.

A photo from Rebecca Hall's post, shared on July 21, 2026. | Source: Instagram/rebeccahall

Across both films, the pair became one of the franchise's emotional anchors, with Jia's bond with Kong resonating deeply with fans. Hall's post quickly drew an outpouring of support in the comments.

"Way too soon. 😢My sincerest condolences ❤️," one fan wrote. "Devastated. Crying. In shock. I still cannot believe this. She was so young. An Angel," another commented.

A photo from Rebecca Hall's post, shared on July 21, 2026. | Source: Instagram/rebeccahall

A third follower added, "She brought so much heart to Jia. May her memory live on forever. Rest in peace 🤍."

Someone else chimed in, "I'm shocked, Kaylee was very amazingly working and great time with you, you enjoyed learning ASL from her. She is my favorite fan of that movies with you ever🙏😭🤍."

A photo from Rebecca Hall's post, shared on July 21, 2026. | Source: Instagram/rebeccahall

Hall had spoken fondly of her time with Hottle during press for 2024's "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." Looking back on one of the film's more emotional scenes, she admitted that the movie's practical effects sometimes made it hard to stay in character.

"When it comes to imagining Godzilla and Kong, that's tough," she said. "That's tough, because more often than not it's a tennis ball on a stick."

She continued, "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."

A photo from Rebecca Hall's post, shared on July 21, 2026. | Source: Instagram/rebeccahall

As news of Hottle's death spread, other co-stars joined in remembering her. Eiza Gonzalez, who played Maia Simmons in the first installment, commented under Hall's post, "Beyond [devastated]. Our sweet Kaylee."

Oscar-winning actress and longtime Deaf community advocate Marlee Matlin also paid her respects in a heartfelt post.

"I am absolutely gutted about the passing of sweet Kaylee Hottle. May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity," Matlin 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. 🩵."