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King Kong to return in King of Skull Island prequel picture
King Kong will be coming back in Kong: King of Skull Island, a prequel to the well-known tale of the big ape, Variety reported. Producers at Spirit Pictures have picked up the rights to a book by that name that was written at the same time Peter Jackson was producing his 2005 remake of King Kong.
Kong: King of Skull Island, written by Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland, focuses on the backstory of Skull Island and how the giant gorilla became king there. It introduces other giant gorillas and dinosaurs only hinted at in the previous films.
Rights to make the movie were brokered with the Merian C. Cooper family, who own the Kong property. Cooper co-directed the original King Kong, released in 1933.
"We're very concerned with honoring Merian C. Cooper's legacy in Hollywood," said Spirit's Steve Iles, who worked on video games for the Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises through his Pocket Studios game company. "We want to make sure that whatever we deliver will honor his memory."
The plan is to produce the film using motion-capture technology like that Robert Zemeckis used to make The Polar Express, Beowulf and the upcoming A Christmas Carol.
By The Malt King at 1:27 PM ON 07/27/09
Sounds like another horrible idea.
Leave the poor monkey in peace.
By Dr. Malcolm Long at 3:26 PM ON 07/27/09
I actually like this idea. The only part of Jackson's "King Kong" that I still enjoy is hour 2, set on Skull Island. The part where Kong walks past the bones of his last kin, giving humble little glances at their bodies, gives me chills.
By AngryJonny at 4:06 PM ON 07/27/09
I've always wanted to know Kong's back story, so I'm very interested in this movie. I just hope it isn't a case of "be careful what you wish for."
I remember seeing the book when it was first published several years ago, but I didn't read it. Anyone know if it's any good? Think I'll check it out on Amazon.
By Simon Baylor at 9:06 PM ON 07/27/09
Peter Jackson's remake was an terrific film which i found enjoyable. That said I am just not keen on a prequel.
By Kai "the spy" at 10:08 PM ON 07/27/09
I haven't read this book, but I read DeVito's and Strickland's novelization of "King Kong", and that one was terrific. Liked it even better than Jackson's remake.
I'm looking forward to this movie. But maybe I should read the book first.
By section-z at 11:55 PM ON 07/27/09
I have the book and thought it was great. Fills in the gaps about the island, explains a lot of the creatures and has tons of wonderful artwork. I think this will translate into an awesome movie.
By AAM/Markosia at 12:30 AM ON 08/18/09
Official Press Release
AAM/Markosia's long awaited Kong: King of Skull Island trade paperback will ship in October 2009, on the back of news that the story (described as the sequel & prequel of the much-loved classic), is to be made into a movie.
"We are very excited about this book", said publisher Harry Markos, "discussions about the Kong: King of Skull Island movie have been going on for some time now and it was amazing to hear the announcement at the Ray Bradbury panel at Comicon. We have spent the last six months or so working on some significant improvements to art and colors and it looks great".
The Diamond Comics Distributor order codes is:
AUG09 0603 KONG KING OF SKULL ISLAND TP a 22pg preview is available to view online http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=13590
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AAM/Markosia:
Official Press Release AAM/Markosia's long awaited Kong: King of Skull Island trade paperback will ship in October...More »