KONG NEWS

OCTOBER 2004

Kong On IMAX?

Are we gonna see The Eighth Wonder of the World on the IMAX screen? Is Kong too big for 35mm?

Skull Island Shoot Begins for King Kong

Source: Kong is King

October 20, 2004

Kong is King reports that shooting began on the outdoor set of Skull Island this morning for Peter Jackson's King Kong. Here's a clip from their scooper's report:

Today I watched Peter Jackson direct a scene where Carl Denham (Jack Black) creeps up and begins filming on the island (presumably when he starts filming the ceremony being conducted by the natives in the village).

Click here to check out pictures of the set.

Jackson Reveals More From King Kong

Source: KongisKing.net

October 14, 2004

Director Peter Jackson is revealing more and more from his upcoming big screen version of King Kong, hitting theaters December 14, 2005. Jackson, along with the cast and crew, continue to participate in Production Diaries at the film's fansite KongisKing.net.

The latest one is a must-watch video as it features the first animatics from the film which Jackson shows to stars Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody. They then try to act in the same way the animated characters did in the "approach to Skull Island" scene. The crew behind the animatics also talks about creating the clips for Jackson and Universal.

You can check out that clip, plus 13 more, at the link above!

Ubisoft Creating King Kong Movie Game

Source: Ubisoft

October 12, 2004

Ubisoft, one of the world's largest interactive video game publishers, and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group today announce plans to release an interactive game based on Universal Pictures' upcoming motion picture adventure, King Kong. The game will be available worldwide on all platforms in conjunction with the December 14, 2005 theatrical release of the movie.

Triple Academy Award winner Peter Jackson ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy) brings his sweeping cinematic vision to the iconic story of the gigantic ape-monster captured in the wilds and brought to civilization where he meets his tragic fate. Jackson assumes directing, producing and co-screenwriting duties and surrounds himself with a list of superlative filmmaking and acting talents.

Working very closely with Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films, Ubisoft's prized Beyond Good & Evil development team, based in Montpellier (France) and award-winning Montreal studio - some of the interactive game industry's most creative designers - are creating a game that will reflect the visual interpretation, character dynamics and dramatic narrative of Jackson's epic film.

Serge Hascoet, Executive Director, Worldwide Content Strategy for Ubisoft stated: "Through this creative association, Ubisoft shows its growing dedication to bringing intense emotions inspired by the movie industry to interactive games. In the King Kong game, players will be able to experience all the power, drama and emotion of the film thanks to the interactive possibilities provided by the game."

"I'm really enjoying the collaboration with these artists, and all the creative possibilities we're discovering," said Peter Jackson. "By working closely with the development team, Ubisoft is enabling me to help shape the kind of gaming experience that I will be proud to associate with this new version of King Kong, a story that began my life-long love of film."

Jackson re-teams with longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, co-writing the screenplay with three-time Oscar-winning partner Walsh and "The Lord of the Rings" co-writer, Academy Award winner Boyens. The screenplay is based on the original story by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace, which became the classic 1933 RKO Radio Pictures film, directed by adventurers Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. Jan Blenkin, Carolynne Cunningham, Fran Walsh and Jackson are producing the film under their WingNut Films banner. Starring in the Universal Pictures release are Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, and Kyle Chandler.

Jackson brings his sweeping vision and employs the latest motion picture technology to cinematically portray the timeless tale of the beast and his beauty. He expands on the chapters of the tale that take place in the mysterious and dangerous jungles of Skull Island, and his Kong promises to be a unique and breathtaking creation. As with his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Jackson is currently shooting King Kong on location in his native New Zealand. Visual effects are accomplished by New Zealand-based companies Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, recipients of multiple Academy Awards® for their collective work on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Visual effects and miniatures supplement practical locations in creating primordial jungles and '30s-period America.