Jackson re-teams with longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, co-writing the screenplay with three-time Oscar(R)-winning partner Walsh and "The Lord of the Rings" co-writer, Academy Award(R) 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 will produce the film under their WingNut Films banner, with Universal Pictures releasing "King Kong" worldwide on December 14, 2005. As with his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Jackson will shoot "King Kong" on location in his native New Zealand.
Set to star in the Universal Pictures release is a slate of some of Hollywood's most versatile and accomplished actors, including Academy Award(R) nominee Naomi Watts ("21 Grams"), Jack Black ("School of Rock") and Academy Award(R) winner Adrien Brody ("The Pianist").
Naomi Watts portrays Ann Darrow, an actress from the world of vaudeville who finds herself out of a job in Depression-era New York. Her luck changes when she meets Carl Denham, played by Jack Black -- an entrepreneur, raconteur, adventurer and filmmaker who is struggling to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Bold, ebullient and charismatic, Denham has a natural sense of showmanship and an appetite for greatness, which ultimately leads to catastrophe.
Adrien Brody steps into the role of Jack Driscoll, a New York playwright, who becomes an unlikely hero in a romantic adventure story which will test his physical courage and his heart.
Peter Jackson commented, "I'm thrilled to be working with Naomi -- not many actresses could step into Fay Wray's shoes and I have no doubt she will be equally as stunning in the role of Ann Darrow." Watts will be starring opposite Brody in a feisty love story which has been updated from that of the original film. "Adrien is one of the most gifted actors working today -- he is smart and charming and incredibly versatile and I think he's going to be fantastic in this role, which is unlike any he has played before."
Jackson has been wanting to work with Jack Black ever since he saw him in "High Fidelity." "Jack adds a wonderful dimension to the role of Carl Denham. He's playing a maverick visionary who is undone by the monstrousness of his own ambition."
Cast members also include Andy Serkis ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy), Thomas Kretschmann ("U-571"), Colin Hanks ("Orange County") and Kyle Chandler ("Angel's Dance," television's "Early Edition").
Andy Serkis (who served as the live-action basis behind the CGI "Rings" character of Gollum) will provide on-set reference for the title character of King Kong.
Serkis also plays the character of Lumpy the cook, in service aboard the tramp steamer Venture, bound for Skull Island, under the command of Captain Englehorn, played by Thomas Kretschmann. Colin Hanks portrays a production assistant to filmmaker Carl Denham and Kyle Chandler takes on the role of a 1930's movie star cast opposite Ann Darrow.
Jackson added, "The fun part of my job is getting to work with talented actors like Colin, Thomas, Kyle and Andy because they bring so much more to a role than what is written on the page. Colin Hanks is the perfect guy to play Denham's assistant, Preston. He is so good -- you forget that you're watching an actor -- which can be a little disconcerting."
"Thomas brings a quiet authority to the role of Captain Englehorn. His droll sense of irony is the perfect counterpoint to Denham."
Kyle Chandler is playing the role of Bruce Baxter -- a nineteen-thirties 'movie star' who appears in the film Denham is shooting. "It's a film within a film; Kyle brings enormous charm and style to this role, managing to capture the quality of some of the great legends of the era, such as Cary Grant and Clark Gable."
