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October 11, 2005 - October 17, 2005

News for Oct. 17, 2005

Gorilla scientist says inspired by King Kong

10/17/05, 9:43 pm EST - Xoanon

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The upcoming movie remake of "King Kong" might outrage some serious scientists, but one expert in gorilla conservation sees the fictional ape as an inspiration. Patrick Mehlman is a field researcher in Rwanda and a vice president of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. He is also a King Kong fan. "The original 'King Kong' (1933) is one of my favorite movies. I think that's one of the things that as a child got me interested in studying great apes," Mehlman said on Monday during a trip to New York for an awards ceremony. [More]

TV Watch: SpikeTV's 'Gamehead' Talks Kong Game

10/17/05, 9:21 pm EST - Xoanon

SpikeTV's new show 'GameHead' featured a segment on Ubisoft's King Kong Game. The lovely ladies of Gaming, The Fragdolls were also on hand to talk Kong. These ladies know thier games, and through Ubisoft have had first hand knowledge of Kong! Take a look at the segment, including some cool gameplay action! (2.3MB WMV File) [More]

Brian Sibley’s PJ Bio Book News

10/17/05, 8:29 pm EST - Xoanon

Irascian writes: Brian Sibley’s web site has just been updated and reveals the news that his biography on Peter Jackson (“Peter Jackson – A Film-Maker’s Journey”) is going to be published by HarperCollins in April 2006. More information at [briansibley.com]

GAMING: Kong Demo Images

10/17/05, 7:53 pm EST - Xoanon

Gandalf writes: After playing the King Kong game demo, a short advertising video containing some interesting images plays out before the game quits. Here's a full set of screenshots from that short video. [More]

The KongisKing.net Fan Art Gallery is Now Open!!!

10/17/05, 4:39 pm EST - Xoanon

Join us in celebrating the long-anticipated Grand Opening of the brand new KongisKing.net Fan Art Gallery. There is much to see already, with over 350 pieces to view, and even more Kong goodness to come. So please make the gallery a frequent stop on your usual KongisKing.net tour!

Just click on the Fan Art link in the list to your left to access the gallery.

Note: If you are an artist and you wish to submit your art to the gallery you can register to create an album and your album will be approved and created for you, but only if you are a KongisKing.net message board member. If you are not a KongisKing.net board member, please register with the board first, and then register to open an album.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER JUST TO VIEW THE ARTWORK IN THIS GALLERY!

TV Watch: TVNZ's Channel One Talks Kong Score

10/17/05, 4:33 pm EST - Xoanon

Gandalf writes: Here's a brief piece from TVNZ's channel One news tonight on the Kong musical score topic. In it is some of the PPD-13 footage on the score, and also comments from Peter Walls of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Eddie Egan from Universal Pictures, and film reviewer Simon Morris. (4.5MB WMV File) [More]

Ringers Needs Kong Size Help!

10/17/05, 4:02 pm EST - Xoanon

Are you interested in attending a premiere screening and charity event for RINGERS in Los Angeles? If so write to: info@planetbb.com. ONLY YOU can help us convince SONY that the fans should have a wonderful premiere party for RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS before it comes out on DVD November 22!! [http://www.sonypictures.com/ringers] We are sending out this EMERGENCY call to action for Southern California Tolkien fans -- because YOU showing interest in the event will help make it our break it! The movie you've heard so much about, our award-winning documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, needs your help! If you guys respond over the weekend by writing to us, and tell your local friends to join in, we might succeed in creating another party of special magnificence! [Learn More...]

GAMING: Win a giant King Kong statue

10/17/05, 2:20 pm EST - Xoanon

Ubisoft has launched a new competition to promote forthcoming movie tie-in Peter Jackson's King Kong, giving you the chance to win a giant statue of the big hairy legend himself. No, we mean the monkey HO HO sorry. And if you don't swag the top prize there are plenty of others on offer - namely some more reasonably sized statues, plush toys, mugs and keyrings. To enter the competition, all you have to do is visit the King Kong website and register with Ubi.com, if you haven't already. [More]

Kong Poster Spotted?

10/17/05, 1:11 pm EST - Xoanon

Kong Teaser Poster I received this image last week and immediately rejected it thinking it was fan art. Well it seems to be making the rounds and some sources are indeed confirming that the image to your left is indeed the teaser poster for King Kong. Words seem to escape me at the moment as I try to formulate an opinion...more news on this soon. [Image]

News for Oct. 16, 2005

Not so scary

10/16/05, 12:40 pm EST - Xoanon

Not so scary It may be 73 years old, fur-less and only 46 centimetres tall, but the original King Kong that terrorised New York is now in New Zealand ahead of its celebrated re-make. American collector and film enthusiast Bob Burns Burns and his wife, from California, are in Wellington with the frame of the animation model used in the original 1933 movie, as guests of director Peter Jackson. "I thought since they are doing King Kong over here it would be good to bring him over," Mr Burns said yesterday. "(Jackson) brought us over. It was really nice of him to do it. He just knows that I am such a Kong fan that he wanted me to see what was happening." [More]

NZSO music cut from King Kong after film changes composer

10/16/05, 11:30 am EST - Xoanon

Music recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) for Peter Jackson's film King Kong has been cut from the movie. The music was written by Oscar-winning composer Howard Shore, who wrote the score for Lord of the Rings, and who flew to this country to conduct the work. But in a statement today Jackson said he and Shore had "differing creative aspirations" for King Kong and had decided amicably to let another composer score the film. NZSO chief executive Peter Walls today confirmed to NZPA that the orchestra's music would not be a part of the movie. "We did a week's worth of recording about a month ago for King Kong. We were due to do some more next week," he said. [More]

In other Primate News...

10/16/05, 7:21 am EST - Celeborn

AICN (AintitCool.com) points us to a cute little trailer for the childhood classic 'Curious George.' [Click Here]

News for Oct. 15, 2005

Get KongisKing.net Newsletter Today!

10/15/05, 2:16 pm EST - Xoanon

The latest newsletter is ready to go! Do you want to receive our free weekly newsletter? Packed with tons of info to keep you up to date on the latest? Plus filled with exclusives from time to time! Join the crowd of over 2400 mailing list members! Sign up now! [More]

Production Diaries DVD Links Updated

10/15/05, 2:09 pm EST - Xoanon

Many fans have been emailing me asking for international Amazon links to purchase their KongisKing.net Production Diaries on DVD. I have added links to almost all the international Amazon sites, follow this link to get YOUR link. [More]

Massive Kong Trailer Available on Apple

10/15/05, 1:55 pm EST - Xoanon

Click on over to Apple's website for links to some very big high definition versions of the King Kong trailer. These make Kong look even more impressive! [More]

Weekend Kong Chat

10/15/05, 1:51 pm EST - Xoanon

It is time to come together and talk Kong! The chatroom has been a great success, however some people have been popping in at odd hours when there is no one to chat with. To that end we've devised 2 KONG Chat times, a set time and day of the week for all Kong chatters to meet and have fun! Tonight's chat will be at 5:30PM Eastern Standard Time (click here for more info). World times are below, if you need more help click here.

5:30PM (Saturday) EST in New York, Montreal
2:30PM (Saturday) PST in Los Angeles, Seattle
11:30PM (Saturday) (Central European Time)
7:30AM (Sunday) in Sydney
9:30AM (Sunday) in Auckland, Wellington

News for Oct. 14, 2005

CONFIRMED: JAMES NEWTON HOWARD TO SCORE 'KING KONG'

10/14/05, 6:25 pm EST - Xoanon

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures confirmed today that James Newton Howard will compose the original score for the dramatic adventure "King Kong," which is directed by triple Academy Award(R) winner Peter Jackson. Mr. Howard replaces Howard Shore, who is leaving the project.

Peter Jackson made the following statement: "I have greatly enjoyed my collaborations with Howard Shore, whose musical themes made immeasurable contributions to 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. During the last few weeks, Howard and I came to realize that we had differing creative aspirations for the score of 'King Kong.' Rather than waste time arguing with a friend and trying to unify our points of view, we decided amicably to let another composer score the film. I'm looking forward to working with James Newton Howard, a composer whose work I've long admired, and I thank Howard Shore, whose talent is surpassed only by his graciousness."

"King Kong" will be released December 14, 2005.

Kong Score Do-Over?

10/14/05, 3:13 pm EST - Xoanon

Reports are coming in that Howard Shore has been replaced by James Newton Howard to score the King Kong film. From Soundtrack.net: Sources in the film music industry have indicated to SoundtrackNet that Howard Shore's score to Peter Jackson's King Kong has been dropped. Hired to replace him is composer James Newton Howard. Due out on December 14, the film requires over two hours of music, which must now be written over the next few weeks.

There is no indication currently as to why Shore's score has been replaced, and all indications are that most - if not all - of the score has already been recorded in New Zealand. The replacement score will be recorded in Los Angeles. More details to come as we get them.

TORN/KIKN: Is currently trying to independently confirm or deny this rumor. However James Newston Howard's unofficial site also lists this news.

Post Production Diary - 9 Weeks To Go

10/14/05, 12:41 pm EST - Xoanon

Post Production Diary - 9 Weeks To Go

Alex Funke takes us on a tour of the miniatures stages, still in full swing with only 9 weeks to go before the movie is released. Alex gives us some fascinating insights into making miniature shots look 'real', while they are real in the technical sense, they are after all only miniatures, and some work needs to be done to give them that sense of scale. Some great SFX shots here of The Wall, and Skull Island in general, look at that fire scene...wonder what is going on there! [QT6 240x132px 7Mb] [QT4 320x176px 13Mb] [QT6 480x264px 16Mb] [Bit Torrents!]

Email us your questions and PJ may answer them in a future Post Production Diary!

Like what you see? Discuss it in our Chat Room! [Click Here] Or the Message Boards? [Click Here]

KongisKing.net Production Diaries Move to DVD

10/14/05, 11:35 am EST - Xoanon

Purchase the Production Diary DVD!
I'm sure many of you have been wondering what will become of the Production Diaries now that Universal will be releasing them as a two-disc DVD set on the day before KING KONG opens worldwide.

Sadly, we have been asked to remove the first 54 diaries from our site. We were hoping to keep them available for you and all fans to download for free, for all eternity, but such is not the case. I am still immensely proud to have been the host of this ground-breaking insight into the making of what we all hope will be a classic film. [More] [Order at Amazon.com]

News for Oct. 13, 2005

King Kong Stamps

10/13/05, 8:30 pm EST - Xoanon

Seventy two years after he first stormed onto our screens, Kong has been brought to life once more for what is sure to be his most magnificent performance. For Academy Award® Winning Director, Peter Jackson, it is the realisation of a life-long dream and a tribute to the movie that prompted his own extraordinary career. New Zealand Post celebrates this gigantic moment in New Zealand film history with a stamp issue that captures the magic of Kong's release. Each of the images for the five stamps was personally approved by Peter Jackson, so you can share some of his favourite moments in this incredible adventure. [More]

WETA Animatronic Animator Update

10/13/05, 8:26 pm EST - Xoanon

Wolftotem writes: I thought you might be keen to see that there is life after LOTR. The man behind Treebeard's, Frank Cowlrick, recently lent a very able hand to another animatronic maker Pip Longson, to bring to life a miniature animatronic dragon for my short film, The Odd Sock Thief. Frank said it was the most difficult thing he'd worked on since Treebeard. With four of us operating the wee beast, cables up one leg and 'fire' from the dragon's mouth, not a wonder. The Odd Sock Thief in in the final stages of post-production. Frank has since been doing the creature effects for The Little Shop of Horrors musical at Downstage Theatre, and like Pip, worked on miniatures for King Kong. More info is available at kiaura.co.nz

Life's a big adventure for Naomi

10/13/05, 8:20 pm EST - Xoanon

Australian star Naomi Watts is in the midst of a grand Chinese adventure, filming scenes for her next major film project, The Painted Veil. Watts is reprising a role once played by Greta Garbo, in a film based on the book written by W. Somerset Maugham. It is the 37-year-old actor's first film role since King Kong with Peter Jackson, and it's expected to be a massive box office drawcard when released later this year. [More]

TV Watch: Kong Doco & 1933 Film Screened

10/13/05, 7:37 pm EST - Xoanon

djdeathskiss writes: You may have already seen this, but on November 22nd, Turner Classic Movies is premiering a new documentary called 'I'm King Kong', followed by the digitally remastered 1933 version of 'King Kong'. It starts at 8pm EST. Here's a link to TMC's site. [turnerclassicmovies.com]

King Kong Cometh...Cometh

10/13/05, 7:31 pm EST - Xoanon

King Kong Cometh SJV1215 writes: KING KONG COMETH pays homage to the colossal gorilla who has wreaked havoc on the silver screen since 1933. This vividly illustrated compendium traces the evolution of KING KONG, from his predecessors in the jungle-movie travelogues of the 1920's and 1930's to B-movies and American and Japanese spin-offs of the legendary motion picture. Highlights include the infamous faked "mondo movie" Ingagi, the influence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, Edgar Wallace's "original" story, legendary animator Ray Harryhausen, scream queen Fay Wray, the impact of KONG on monster magazines of the fifties, sixties and seventies, Dino de Laurentis's remake of KING KONG in 1976 and, finally, the cinematic event of 2005 - Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson's multimillion dollar remake of KING KONG. Offering the best new and vintage writings on KING KONG, his forebears, and his descendants, KING KONG COMETH provides monster coverage to satiate the avid KING KONG fan. Edited by Paul A. Woods for Britain's Plexus publications, and featuring participation by Kevin Brownlow and Steve Vertlieb, KING KONG COMETH will be published at Christmas in England and throughout the world. Both Kevin Brownlow and Steve Vertlieb have also contributed to Warner Bros. Home Video premiere DVD release of KING KONG coming from the studio on November 22nd. [More]
Pre-Order 'King Kong Cometh' on Amazon.com today!

Kong Chat Tonight

10/13/05, 2:49 pm EST - Xoanon

It is time to come together and talk Kong! The chatroom has been a great success, however some people have been popping in at odd hours when there is no one to chat with. To that end I've devised a KONG Chat time, a set time and day of the week for all Kong chatters to meet and have fun! The bi-weekly Kong Chats will be Thursday nights at 8:30PM Eastern Standard Time (a new Saturday chat has been added click here for more info). World times are below, if you need more help click here. [Kong Java Chat Room] [irc chat settings: SERVER www.theonering.net ROOM: #kongisking.net]

8:30PM (Thursday) EST in New York, Montreal
5:30PM (Thursday) PST in Los Angeles, Seattle
1:30AM (Friday) in GMT (UK)
2:30AM (Friday) (Central European Time)
10:30AM (Friday) in Sydney, Australia
12:30PM (Friday) in Auckland, Wellington, New Zealand

News for Oct. 12, 2005

Kong Game Trailer High Res

10/12/05, 10:50 pm EST - Xoanon

gametrailers.com has posted an amazing trailer for Ubisoft's King Kong game! The trailer features 'Mr. Voice', and what sounds like Jack Black and Andy Serkis' voices and tons of gameplay footage. Close your eyes and it almost feels like you're watching a trailer for the movie! [More]

KONG FILES: Merian C. Cooper Part 2

10/12/05, 10:19 pm EST - Xoanon

John Michlig writes: It’s been some weeks since I wrote about Merian Cooper and the new biography, “Living Dangerously,” and this much seems to be true: no installment of the Kong Files has elicited less response than that particular one. It bears mentioning because when you relate the amazing facts of Merian C. Cooper’s life to the uninitiated, a common response is: “Why haven’t I heard of this guy before?” Why, indeed? To add insult to injury, his name is misspelled on the rights page of the Underwood Books edition of the King Kong novelization. [More]

Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo Guests Announced

10/12/05, 10:05 pm EST - Xoanon

Kiwi writes: Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo has announced which representatives from Weta will be attending the King Kong panel at the upcoming Auckland convention, and they are none other than Matt Aitken (Weta Digital), Gino Acevedo (Weta Workshop) and miniatures man Alex Funke! According to the Armageddon website, the discussion will provide "an insiders look into the film." The panel will take place in the Aotea Centre's ASB Theatre, from 12-1pm, Sunday October 23rd. [More]

News for Oct. 11, 2005

Lottery goes Hollywood

10/11/05, 7:09 pm EST - Xoanon

The state lottery is teaming up with Hollywood for an unprecedented cross-promotion - wedding the multimillion dollar "King Kong" remake to two new lottery games. One of the "King Kong Millions" games will feature scratchoff tickets offering a top prize of $8 million - the most money ever in a New York scratchoff game. But the unquestioned big prize is a minimum $50 million jackpot in a separate drawing to be awarded Dec. 5 from the top of the Empire State Building, where King Kong famously perched before his death. "King Kong is so closely identified with New York that it makes perfect sense for us to do this in conjunction with the movie," Lottery Division spokeswoman Jennifer Mauer told the Daily News yesterday. [More]

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Are You Ready for Kong Mobile?!

10/11/05, 7:06 pm EST - Xoanon

King Kong Official Mobile Game Images The swanky folks at Gameloft have sent us some exclusive never before seen images from their Kong Kong Mobile Game! Take a look! Portable Kong Action! [More]

Kong Goodies Hit NZ Shelves

10/11/05, 6:58 pm EST - Xoanon

Kong Goodies Hit NZ Shelves Gandalf writes: Official Kong figures have hit "The Warehouse" here in New Zealand. This scan is from their advertising mail that arrived in my letterbox today. [More]

Kong Book Tie-Ins Announces

10/11/05, 6:54 pm EST - Xoanon

From IGN: ...In related Kong-news, Simon & Schuster confirms to IGN FilmForce the shelf dates for three of their tie-in books: 'Kong Unbound' will be released November 11th; 'World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island' will be released November 22nd; and 'King Kong', the novelization of the movie, will be released December 1st. [More]

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