by Justin Cook
Birdman actor Michael Keaton is finalizing a deal to join the cast of 2017’s Kong: Skull Island.
Legendary and Universal’s Kong: Skull Island, which will serve as a prequel to King Kong, was announced just last July at San Diego Comic-Con. Ever since the film has slowly been coming together, with both J.K. Simmons from Whiplash and Tom Hiddleston from The Avengers joining the project. Jordan Vogt-Roberts, director of the critically acclaimed film The Kings of Summer, signed on to helm the project, with Flight writer John Gatins and Godzilla writer Max Borenstein coming on board as well.
The film will follow a group of explorers who journey deep inside the primordial island of Skull Island. The story told in the film will stay faithful to the events presented in the famous 1933 film, as well as feature a “distinct, new timeline.”
Keaton is certainly an unexpected and intriguing addition to the cast. The actor is coming off of his much-praised performance in Birdman, for which he recently earned both a SAG Award nomination and Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Being one of the more underrated and talented actors working today, Keaton never fails to give a good performance, even when the film surrounding him isn’t quite as engaging. As of now his role in the film is unknown, as are the roles of Simmons and Hiddleston as well.
Producing the film will be Legendary’s Jon Jashini and Thomas Tull. In the past, Tull and Jashini have produced such films as Godzilla and Pacific Rim, meaning that it may not be that much of a stretch to believe that at some point Legendary will make a crossover film between some of their many major properties. Also Alex Garcia will executive produce the project.
The film will be released in 3D and IMAX 3D on March 10, 2017.
Source: Deadline
