Apes are king of film remakes and video games.
UBISOFT TO LAUNCH INTERACTIVE GAME FOR UNIVERSAL PICTURES’ KING KONG
FOR HOLIDAY 2005
Peter Jackson and Ubisoft development team members pictured here on the set
of King Kong in New Zealand: Jacques Exertier, Ubisoft game scriptwriter
(far left), Michel Ancel, Ubisoft creative director (in back), Peter
Jackson, movie director (front center), and Xavier Poix, Ubisoft producer
and site director (far right).
SAN FRANCISCO – October 12, 2004 – Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest
interactive video game publishers, and Universal Studios Consumer Products
Group today announced plans to release an interactive game based on
Universal Pictures’ upcoming motion picture adventure, King Kong. The game
will be available worldwide on all platforms at the beginning of the holiday
season in conjunction with the December 14, 2005 theatrical release of the
movie.
Triple Academy Award® winner Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King) brings his sweeping cinematic vision to the iconic story
of the gigantic ape-monster captured in the wild and brought to civilization
where he meets his tragic fate. Jackson assumes directing, producing and
co-screenwriting duties and surrounds himself with a list of superlative
filmmaking and acting talents.
Working very closely with Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films, Ubisoft’s prized
Beyond Good & Evil development team and award-winning Montreal studio - some
of the interactive game industry’s most creative designers - are creating a
game in their Montpellier studio in the South of France that will reflect
the visual interpretation, character dynamics and dramatic narrative of
Jackson's epic film.
Serge Hascoet, Executive Director, Worldwide Content Strategy for Ubisoft
stated: “Through this creative association, Ubisoft shows its growing
dedication to bringing intense emotions inspired by the movie industry to
interactive games. In the King Kong game, players will be able to experience
all the power, drama and emotion of the film thanks to the interactive
possibilities provided by the game.”
“I’m really enjoying the collaboration with these artists, and all the
creative possibilities we’re discovering,” said Peter Jackson. “By working
closely with the development team, Ubisoft is enabling me to help shape the
kind of gaming experience that I will be proud to associate with this new
version of King Kong, a story that began my life-long love of film.”
©2004 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft, ubi.com, and the
Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or
other countries.
About King Kong
Jackson re-teams with longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens,
co-writing the screenplay with three-time Oscar®-winning partner Walsh and
The Lord of the Rings co-writer, Academy Award® winner Boyens. The
screenplay is based on the original story by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar
Wallace, which became the classic 1933 RKO Radio Pictures film, directed by
adventurers Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. Jan Blenkin, Carolynne
Cunningham, Fran Walsh and Jackson are producing the film under their
WingNut Films banner, with Universal Pictures releasing King Kong worldwide
on December 14, 2005.
Starring in the Universal Pictures release is a slate of some of Hollywood’s
most versatile and accomplished actors, including Academy Award® nominee
Naomi Watts (21 Grams), Jack Black (School of Rock) and Academy Award®
winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist). Cast members include Andy Serkis (The
Lord of the Rings trilogy), Thomas Kretschmann (U-571), Colin Hanks (Orange
County) and Kyle Chandler (Angel’s Dance, television’s Early Edition).
Jackson brings his sweeping vision and employs the latest motion picture
technology to cinematically portray the timeless tale of the beast and his
beauty. He expands on the chapters of the tale that take place in the
mysterious and dangerous jungles of Skull Island, and his Kong promises to
be a unique and breathtaking creation.
As with his Lord of the Rings trilogy, Jackson is currently shooting King
Kong on location in his native New Zealand. Visual effects are accomplished
by New Zealand-based companies Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, recipients of
multiple Academy Awards® for their collective work on The Lord of the Rings
trilogy. Visual effects and miniatures supplement practical locations in
creating primordial jungles and '30s-period America. This film has not yet
been rated. Please consult www.filmratings.com or www.parentalguide.org for
more information.