Marvel fans who can't get enough of the demigod Loki may be drawn to the massive monster franchise Legendary is cooking up, as it's just been announced that Tom Hiddleston will play the lead role in the upcoming King Kong origins movie, Skull Island. A new director has also been attached to the film that will explore the seemingly prehistoric island teeming with colossal creatures.

Legendary announced today that Jordan Vogt-Roberts will direct Skull Island off a screenplay by Godzilla scribe Max Borenstein. Skull Island was revealed at this year's San Diego Comic-Con during a surprising teaser video that concluded with an amped-up King Kong. In late July we reported that Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) had been offered the director's chair for the project, but now it is Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer) who will helm the large-scale adventure.

Tom Hiddleston (Only Lovers Left Alive), perhaps best known for his portrayal of Thor's evil brother Loki in the Marvel cinematic universe, will take the lead acting reigns in Legendary's King Kong film that Universal Pictures is planning to release on November 4th, 2016. With Legendary developing a Godzilla sequel due out on June 8th, 2018, and Borenstein writing Skull Island, it's likely that we will see a King Kong / Godzilla crossover movie sometime down the line. We'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on Skull Island as it develops. In the meantime, we have Legendary's official press release with full details:

Press Release - "Legendary announced its plans to make a feature film based on the cinematic origins of King Kong during this year's San Diego Comic Con with an original draft of the script by Max Borenstein. Previous works have touched on the island, but staying on and exploring this mysterious and dangerous place offers Legendary the opportunity to take audiences deeper inside this rich world with a style and scope that parallels other Legendary productions. Universal Pictures will distribute the film on November 4, 2016.

Vogt-Roberts directed and executive produced the Sundance darling THE KINGS OF SUMMER. He has also directed the pilot and multiple episodes of FX's new series "You're the Worst" and is set to direct METAL GEAR SOLID for Sony. His other credits include directing the pilot of "Cocked" for Amazon Studios and directing and executive producing the concert documentary NICK OFFERMAN: AMERICAN HAM. He is represented by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and attorneys Alan Wertheimer and Andy Gawker.

Hiddleston's credits include MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE, and WAR HORSE. He is also known for portraying Thor's nemesis and brother, Loki, in Marvel's THOR, THOR: THE DARK WORLD, and THE AVENGERS. Upcoming projects include Legendary's gothic horror CRIMSON PEAK from director Guillermo del Toro, Ben Wheatley's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's HIGH-RISE and Marc Abraham's Hank Williams biopic I SAW THE LIGHT. He is repped by William Morris Endeavor, Hamilton Hodell and Authentic Management.

Legendary's recent releases include GODZILLA, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE and the Guillermo del Toro directed PACIFIC RIM as well as the Jackie Robinson biopic 42 and MAN OF STEEL with Warner Bros. In addition to WARCRAFT, highlights from Legendary's upcoming slate include BLACKHAT and CRIMSON PEAK."

Source: Legendary
  • Derek Anderson
    About the Author - Derek Anderson

    Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.

    When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.