Peter Jackson, Oscar-winning director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has begun principal photography on a new version of the cinema classic, King Kong.  Jackson's version, like the original, is set in 1933, which Jackson states is important because: 'It means we can invest the story with the mystery and romance of a bygone era.  The Thirties was a time of discovery, when we did not know the full parameters of the world and literally, anything was possible.' 

Naomi Watts will reprise Fay Wray's role as Ann Darrow, while Jack Black will play the entrepreneurial Carl Denham and Adrien Brody will play Jack Driscoll, a New York playwright, who will provide the romantic interest for Ann Darrow in the new version.  Andy Serkis, who played the Gollum in the Rings trilogy, will provide the on-set reference for the title character of King Kong.

Peter Jackson's version of King Kong will debut worldwide on December 14, 2005 -- and given the talent he displayed in bringing the Lord of the Rings trilogy to the screen, there is reason to believe that the new King Kong could be one the most important cinematic events of next year.