Kong: Skull Island

Kong: Skull Island

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Produced by
Screenplay by
Story by
Based on King Kong
by Merian C. Cooper
Edgar Wallace
Starring
Music by Henry Jackman
Cinematography Larry Fong
Edited by
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • March 10, 2017 (2017-03-10) (United States)
Country United States
Language English
Budget $190 million[1]

Kong: Skull Island is an upcoming American monster film directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and written by John Gatins, Dan Gilroy and Max Borenstein. The film is a reboot of the King Kong franchise and will serve as the second film in Legendary's Godzilla–Kong film series. It stars an ensemble cast consisting of Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Kebbell, John Ortiz, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, Terry Notary, and John C. Reilly. Principal photography began on October 19, 2015 in Hawaii. Kong: Skull Island is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 10, 2017 in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.

Premise

In the 1970s, a team of explorers and soldiers are brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific—as beautiful as it is treacherous—unaware that they are crossing into the domain of monsters, as well the mythic Kong.

Cast

Production

Development

Legendary Pictures announced in July 2014 at the San Diego Comic-Con a King Kong origin story - initially titled Skull Island - and listed a release date of November 4, 2016, with Universal Pictures distributing.[3] Legendary offered Joe Cornish the job of directing the film,[4] while previous King Kong helmer Peter Jackson suggested Guillermo del Toro.[5] In September 2014, the studio announced that Jordan Vogt-Roberts would direct the film.[6]

On December 12, 2014, the studio announced they had re-titled the film Kong: Skull Island. On September 10, 2015, it was announced that Universal would let Legendary Pictures move Kong: Skull Island to Warner Bros.,[7] so they could do a King Kong and Godzilla crossover film, since LP still had the rights to do the two Godzilla sequels with Warner Brothers.[8][9] Later, it was announced that the film's script had references to Monarch, the secret government entity in Godzilla (2014).[10]

The script saw a number of screenwriters attached before filming. Seeking the continuity between the King Kong and Godzilla worlds, Godzilla's Max Borenstein wrote the first draft while John Gatins was hired to write the second draft.[11] In August 2015, it was revealed that Dan Gilroy also collaborated on the script with Borenstein and Gatins.[12] On August 18, 2015, it was confirmed that Derek Connolly was also doing script rewrites.[13]

In April 2016, artist Joe DeVito sued producers of the film for using elements of his Skull Island universe, which he claimed that he created and producers used it without his permission.[14]

Creature design

Kong's official design revealed via Entertainment Weekly.

Director Vogt-Roberts stated that he wanted Kong to look simple and iconic enough that a third grader could draw him and it would still be recognizable.[15] Vogt-Roberts also wanted Kong to feel like a "lonely God, he was a morose figure, lumbering around this island" and took the design back to the 1933 incarnation where Kong was presented as a "bipedal creature that walks in an upright position."[15] Vogt-Roberts additionally stated, "If anything, our Kong is meant to be a throwback to the ’33 version. [Kong] was a movie monster, so we worked really hard to take some of the elements of the ’33 version, some of those exaggerated features, some of those cartoonish and iconic qualities, and then make them their own…We created something that to some degree served as a throwback to the inspiration for what started all of this, but then also [had] it be a fully unique and different creature that — I would like to think — is fully contained and identifiable as the 2017 version of King Kong. I think there are very modern elements to him, yet hopefully he feels very timeless at the same time."[15]

Casting

At the same time of the announcement of Vogt-Roberts as director, the studio also announced that Tom Hiddleston would play the lead role.[6] On December 15, 2014, it was announced that J. K. Simmons had been cast in the film.[16] In an interview with MTV, Simmons revealed that the film would be set in Detroit in 1971, and that they would shoot it in Detroit during baseball season.[17]

In January 2015, it was announced that Michael Keaton had joined the cast.[18] On July 1, 2015, Keaton and Simmons exited the film due to their scheduling conflicts.[19] Legendary did not want to delay more in start of production so the studio began the search of two actors to replace.[19] On July 23, 2015, Brie Larson was cast in the film to play the female lead.[20] On August 5, 2015, it was announced that Corey Hawkins was cast in the film to play a supporting role. [12] On August 6, 2015, Deadline.com reported that the studio was in early talks with Samuel L. Jackson to replace the role which Simmons vacated, while John C. Reilly was being eyed for Keaton's role but not offered yet. Tom Wilkinson was also offered a role in the film.[21]

On August 20, 2015, Toby Kebbell joined the cast of the film, while Jackson and Reilly were confirmed for roles.[22] On August 25, 2015 Jason Mitchell joined the cast to play a pilot in the film.[23] On September 25, 2015, John Goodman was cast in the film to play Randa, a government official and leader of an expedition and Thomas Mann was also cast.[24][25] On October 1, 2015, John Ortiz and Shea Whigham were added to the cast for unspecified roles.[26] On October 13, 2015, Eugene Cordero joined the film for an unspecified role.[27] On November 2, 2015, it was announced Will Brittain had joined the cast of the film, portraying the role of a pilot, and grabbing one of the last key leads in the film.[28] In May 2016, Toby Kebbell revealed that Terry Notary would portray Kong through motion capture and that Kebbell provided some guidance for Kong's motion capture sequences.[2]

Filming

Principal photography on the film began on October 19, 2015 and concluded on March 18, 2016.[29] Filming took place in the northern portion of Vietnam including Tràng An, Vân Long and Tam Cốc (Ninh Bình Province), Hạ Long Bay (Quảng Ninh Province) and at the entrance of Tú Làn Caves System, (Tân Hoá, Trung Hoá Village, Minh Hoá District Quảng Bình Province), the island of Oahu in Hawaii, and Australia's Gold Coast. Locations included Honolulu's Chinatown and at the Kualoa Ranch and Waikane Valley (Ohulehule Forest Conservancy) on Oahu.[30][31] In mid-January 2016, filming started in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[32][33]

Release

On December 12, 2014, the release date moved from November 4, 2016 to March 10, 2017. It is planned to be released in 3D and IMAX 3D.[34]

Sequels

In September 2015, Legendary moved Kong: Skull Island from Universal to Warner Bros., which sparked media speculation that Godzilla and King Kong will appear in a film together.[35][36] In October 2015, Legendary confirmed that they would unite Godzilla and King Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong, set for a May 29, 2020, release date. Legendary plans to create a shared cinematic franchise "centered around Monarch" and that "brings together Godzilla and Legendary’s King Kong in an ecosystem of other giant super-species, both classic and new". While Legendary will maintain its home at Universal Pictures, it will continue to collaborate with Warner Bros. for the franchise.[37]

References

  1. ↑ "New Kong: Skull Island Set Photos Reveal Plane Wreckage!". Kong: Skull Island Movie News.
  2. 1 2 3 Sullivan, Kevin (May 11, 2016). "Toby Kebbell clears up Kong: Skull Island rumors". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ Sciretta, Peter (July 27, 2014). "Legendary Announces King Kong Prequel 'Skull Island' Movie For 2016 [Comic Con 2014]". Slashfilm.com. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ Fleming, Mike (July 28, 2014). "Comic-Con: Legendary Wants Joe Cornish For 'Skull Island'". Deadline.com.
  5. ↑ Han, Angie (July 31, 2014). "Peter Jackson Would Like Guillermo Del Toro to Direct 'Skull Island'". Slashfilm.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Fleming, Jr., Mike (September 16, 2014). "Legendary's 'Skull Island'; Tom Hiddleston Stars, Jordan Vogt-Roberts Helms King Kong Origin Tale". Deadline. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  7. ↑ Mendelson, Scott (September 11, 2015). "What King Kong/Godzilla Switcharoo Says About Universal And Warner Bros. Priorities". Forbes. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  8. ↑ Graser, Marc (July 9, 2013). "Legendary Entertainment Moves to NBCUniversal (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 10, 2015). "'Kong: Skull Island' to Move to Warner Bros. for Planned Monster Movie Universe". The Hollywood Reporter.com. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ Masters, Kim (September 16, 2015). "Hollywood Gorilla Warfare: It's Universal vs. Legendary Over 'Kong: Skull Island' (and Who Says "Thank You")". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  11. ↑ Fleming, Mike (October 30, 2014). "King Kong Tale 'Skull Island' Gets Rewrite From 'Flight' Scribe John Gatins". deadline.com. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  12. 1 2 Kroll, Justin (August 5, 2015). "'Straight Outta Compton's' Corey Hawkins Joins 'Skull Island' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  13. ↑ Kit, Borys (August 18, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Writer Heads to 'Kong: Skull Island' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  14. ↑ Cullins, Ashley (April 28, 2016). "Legendary, Warner Bros. Sued for Allegedly Stealing 'Kong: Skull Island' Story". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 Smith, C. Molly (November 10, 2016). "Kong: Skull Island unleashes exclusive first look at the movie monster". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  16. ↑ Kroll, Justin (December 15, 2014). "J.K. Simmons joins 'Kong: Skull Island'". variety.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  17. ↑ Lesnick, Silas (January 15, 2015). "J.K. Simmons Reveals a Surprise Setting for Kong: Skull Island". Coming Soon. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  18. ↑ Jaafar, Ali (January 7, 2015). "Michael Keaton In Talks To Join 'Kong: Skull Island' For Legendary". deadline.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  19. 1 2 Jaafar, Ali (July 1, 2015). "Michael Keaton And JK Simmons Exit Legendary's 'Kong: Skull Island'". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  20. ↑ Fleming, Mike (July 23, 2015). "Brie Larson Lands Female Lead In 'Kong: Skull Island'". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  21. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (August 6, 2015). "Is There Room On 'Kong: Skull Island' For Samuel L. Jackson And Tom Wilkinson?". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  22. ↑ Kit, Borys (August 20, 2015). "'Fantastic Four' Actor Toby Kebbell Joins Tom Hiddleston in 'Kong: Skull Island' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  23. ↑ Kroll, Justin (August 25, 2015). "'Straight Outta Compton's' Jason Mitchell Joins Legendary's 'Skull Island'". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  24. ↑ Busch, Anita (September 25, 2015). "John Goodman Joins Cast Of 'Kong: Skull Island'". deadline.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  25. ↑ Kroll, Justin (September 25, 2015). "Thomas Mann Joins 'Kong: Skull Island' (Exclusive)". Variety.
  26. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (October 1, 2015). "'Kong: Skull Island' Adds John Ortiz & Shea Whigham". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  27. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (October 13, 2015). "Eugene Cordero Heads To 'Kong: Skull Island'; Amiah Miller Joins 'War For The Planet Of The Apes'". deadline.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  28. ↑ Kit, Borys (November 2, 2015). "'Kong: Skull Island' Casts Up-And-Comer for Pilot Role". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  29. ↑ Mann, Thomas (March 18, 2016). "That's a wrap. 📷 by @tutututuuuu". Instagram.com. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  30. ↑ "'Kong: Skull Island' spotted filming at Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii". On Location Vacations. October 23, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  31. ↑ Gordon, Mike (December 17, 2015). "King Kong movie filming closes Chinatown streets". StarAdvertiser. Honolulu. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  32. ↑ "'Kong: Skull Island' moves from Hawaii to Australia". On Location Vacations. January 20, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  33. ↑ Simonot, Suzanne (January 24, 2016). "Kong: Skull Island cast and crew wanted as filming continues". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  34. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (December 12, 2014). "Universal Pushes King Kong Film to 2017, Dates Great Wall Movie for 2016". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  35. ↑ Fleming Jr., Mike (September 10, 2015). "King Kong On Move To Warner Bros, Presaging Godzilla Monster Matchup". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  36. ↑ Masters, Kim (September 16, 2015). "Hollywood Gorilla Warfare: It's Universal vs. Legendary Over 'Kong: Skull Island' (and Who Says "Thank You")". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Legendary and Warner Bros. Pictures Announce Cinematic Franchise Uniting Godzilla, King Kong and Other Iconic Giant Monsters" (Press release). Legendary Pictures. October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2015.

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