Michael Keaton and JK Simmons Drop Out of KONG: SKULL ISLAND
As Legendary Pictures and director Jordan Vogt-Roberts are developing Kong: Skull Island, two of its main stars, Michael Keaton and JK Simmons, have dropped out of the project. The news comes from Deadline, who reports that they exited because of scheduling conflicts. Of course, that's the reason we always get when a big star drops out of a film project.
The report did say that that the production start date was pushed back by a few weeks from the fall to before the end of the year. "That, and the fact that it is likely to be a demanding shoot in terms of time, didn’t match up with their other commitments." Tom Hiddleston is still attached to the film though, so that's good!
The studio is currently on the hunt for a couple of actors to replace Keaton and Simmons. Hopefully, Legendary will find some individuals who are equally as talented to take their place. It sucks that these two had to step away from the project. I was excited that they were going to be a part of it.
KONG: SKULL ISLAND will fully 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. Legendary’s story honors the foundations of existing King Kong lore, but places it in an entirely new, distinct timeline.
The movie is set to be released on March 10th, 2017.