J.K. Simmons, who yesterday was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in WHIPLASH, spoke with MTV - a conversation which gravitated towards his upcoming appearance in KONG: SKULL ISLAND (or whatever it’s final title will be).
In the discussion, Simmons revealed the film’s setting, and it’s not what many folks might be expecting.
When it first came to my attention - ‘There’s interest in you for a new King Kong…’ - I thought, ‘Okay, why?’ you know? But then I met with Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who’s going to be directing it and John Gatins, who’s writing, and Tom (Hiddleston). Jordan was just so passionate and so smart, and there’s such an interesting new take on it. AND, it’s set in Detroit in 1971 - which is where I grew up - and we’re going to shoot in Detroit during Baseball season, and I’ll be able to go to Tigers games. So, I mean, there’s a lot to like about this movie…”
Simmons told MTV. Here’s an embed of the same.
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So, I guess this raises several questions: is Detroit 1971 a ‘stand-in’ for the New York setting of other KONG adaptations - and might it be used similarly? Or, is it merely a launching platform to get our characters to SKULL ISLAND. Where, presumably, most of the fun would tactually take place? There are, of course, numerous other possibilities as well.
KONG: SKULL ISLAND is targeting a March 2017 release date.
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Glen Oliver
“Merrick”
