*According to Deadline, Legendary’s upcoming “Kong: Skull Island” movie has moved from Universal to Warner Bros. “to unite the property with Legendary’s other giant franchise, “Godzilla.”
The studio move is happening because it’s easier to have both titles under one roof when “Godzilla” versus “King Kong” goes into production, after Gareth Edwards’ “Godzilla” sequel is released in 2018.
Warner Bros. retains full ownership to Kong. Universal simply licensed the rights for Peter Jackson’s 2005 Kong movie, as did Paramount for their two-films: “King Kong (1976)” and “King Kong Lives (1986).” As Bloody-Disgusting reports, WB isn’t keen to license the character out again. Last year’s “Godzilla” was made by Legendary with Warner Bros. and grossed around $200 million.
Legendary is now weeks away from starting production on “Skull Island,” starring Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston and “Straight Outta Compton’s” Corey Hawkins. Jordan Vogt-Roberts is directing a script by John Gatins and Max Borenstein.
The title suggests the location will be set in the jungles of King’s homeland. According to Coming Soon, the filmmakers aim to “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.”
“Skull Island” is slated for a March 10, 2017 release, with a sequel to Edwards’ “Godzilla” planned for June 8, 2018. Afterwards, Kong and Godzilla will battle in an as-of-yet untitled King Kong vs. Godzilla feature.
Via Variety:
“Sources close to the situation say while this is not a done deal, things are moving forward and that the idea is to have future Kong films possibly cross over with Godzilla films.”
This would make their first big budgeted battle, as fans and cinephiles know that the two titans last squared off in 1962’s “King Kong vs Godzilla.”
Meanwhile, “Godzilla 2” will feature the classic threats Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah, according to reports, and Gareth Edwards will direct after he completes “Star Wars.”
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