A little earlier this year, Kong: Skull Island was dealt a serious blow when J.K. Simmons and Michael Keaton suddenly decided to depart the project due to other commitments. Tom Hiddleston (Thor) has already been cast as the lead, while Brie Larson (Short Term 12) was also recently cast in the movie, but now three more actors are circling the ambitious project.
According to Deadline, Samuel L. Jackson (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) is in talks to take over from the role which was originally set to be filled by Simmons. John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) meanwhile is at the top of the studio’s wishlist to take over from Keaton.
Those are obviously two very different actors, but they’ll no doubt bring something very special to this retelling of King Kong’s early years. Plus, it’s hard to complain about Nick Fury and Loki being reunited on the big screen! In other casting news, it’s also been noted that Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins) has been offered one of the lead roles in the movie.
Legendary Pictures and Universal’s Kong: Skull Island is set to be released on March 10th, 2017. The movie aims to fully immerse audiences in the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island. Jordan Vogt-Roberts is directing from a script by John Gatins and Max Borenstein.
