ActressBrie Larsonis in talks with Legendary Pictures to play the female lead in their highly-anticipatedKing KongmovieKong: Skull Island. If her deal is finalized, she will joinTom Hiddleston, who has been attached to star since September. The news comes just weeks after theaction-adventure movielost two of its stars,Michael KeatonandJ.K. Simmons, due to scheduling conflicts.
No details were given forBrie Larson’s character at this time, or how she fits into the story.Deadlinereports that Warner Bros. is also seeking replacements forJ.K. SimmonsandMichael Keaton, with the studio courtingRussell Crowefor one of those roles. It won’t be known if the actor will sign on, though, until the latest draft of the screenplay comes in. Legendary first announced the project atComic-Con2014 at the end of theirHall Hpanel.
We reported in January thatKong: Skull Islandwill be partially set in Detroit, circa 1971, but it isn’t known how that time period and setting will be implemented in the story. The plot will explore the home island ofKing Kong, seen through the eyes of a group of explorers. This new movie is said to “honor the foundations” of theKing Kongfranchise, while also setting it in a brand new timeline. Production is scheduled to begin in either late 2015 or early 2016, with Legendary and Universal Pictures already setting a July 25, 2025 release date.
Jordan Vogt-Roberts(The Kings of Summer) is directing from a script written byJohn Gatins(Real Steel) andMax Borenstein(Godzilla). Legendary’sThomas Tulland Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent, with Alex Garcia and Eric McLeod serving as executive producers. The film will be released in 3D and IMAX 3D formats, but it isn’t known if the movie will be shot in native 3D, or converted in post-production.
Brie Larsoncan currently be seen on the big screen in Universal’s hit comedyTrainwreck, which opened last weekend. She also stars in the upcoming indie Digging for Fire, in theaters August 21. The actress is currently filming directorBen Wheatley’sFree Fire, alongsideArmie Hammer,Cillian Murphy,Sharlto CopleyandJack Reynor. What do you think aboutBrie Larsonlanding the female lead inKong: Skull Island?
