Brie Larson Scores Female Lead in KONG: SKULL ISLAND

Kong: Skull Island took a hit when Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons dropped out of the production a few weeks ago, but it seems to have taken that in stride and has moved on to securing a fantastic actress for the female lead. Deadline reports that Brie Larson will star opposite Tom Hiddleston, and they mention that the studio is hoping Russell Crowe fills in one of the now-vacated roles originally taken by Keaton and Simmons. Even if it's just Hiddleston and Larson stomping through the jungle, that's a charismatic and entertaining enough cast for me. I'm on board with this one.

Jordan Vogt-Roberts is directing after his Sundance film The Kings of Summer earned solid reviews, and he'll be helming from a script by John Gatins (Real Steel) and Max Borenstein (Godzilla). Shooting is supposed to begin late this year or early next year for a March 10th, 2017 release.

Larson is a wonderful talent who you probably know from Short Term 12, 21 Jump Street, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Trainwreck, which is in theaters now. As long as she has more to do than run around looking scared, this sounds like a cool project for her to raise her profile a little more.