Academy Award® nominee Naomi Watts and Jack Black appear via likeness and provide voice talent for the videogame Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie. Academy Award® winner Adrien Brody has also lent his voice talent to the game. All three stellar actors star in Universal Pictures' upcoming motion picture King Kong, directed by Academy Award® winner Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy). The videogame, rated "T" for Teen, and is released worldwide on most major platforms this November, making it the biggest movie-licensed launch in videogame history.
"We want the movie and the videogame to be a shared experience, so having the voices and likenesses of the actors is very important," said triple Academy Award Winner® and King Kong director Peter Jackson. "Another great aspect of the collaboration is the absolute enthusiasm that the cast has shown for the game. Jack Black loves seeing himself running around the jungles of Skull Island and it's fun watching him actually play the game."
Michel Ancel, regarded as one of the most innovative minds in the videogame industry, together with his team at Ubisoft's Montpellier studio (France), is working with Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films to capture the King Kong movie dynamics through a unique videogame experience.
"The actors' full integration into the videogame with voice-over and likeness adds yet another layer of fidelity and highlights the close collaboration between Ubisoft's Montpellier studio and Peter Jackson's team," said Michel Ancel, creative director at Ubisoft. "It's been great working with each of these gifted actors from the King Kong motion picture and we appreciate their dedicated, exclusive performances for the videogame."
The voice sessions with the actors were supervised and directed by two-time Academy Award® Winner Philippa Boyens, co-writer of both the movie and the video game, to ensure the in-game dialogue reflects the tone and style of the film. In fact, other cast members also contributed either their likeness and/or voice talent including, Jamie Bell, Colin Hanks, Thomas Kretschmann, Evan Parke and Andy Serkis.
"I'm really excited my likeness will be used in the videogame. I've always wanted to be in a videogame, it's kind of a dream come true," said Jack Black, who plays the role of Carl Denham for the movie and the game. When asked about his approach to conducting the voice over session, Black shared, "While it's strictly my voice, I'm still acting and using all of my skills as an artist. I went full blast for this videogame."
The King Kong Collaboration:
Michel Ancel, creative director at Ubisoft, regarded as one of the top innovative minds in the video game industry, and his team at Ubisoft's Montpellier (France) studio are working with Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films to capture and create the King Kong movie dynamics through a unique video game experience.
"It's an absolute pleasure working with Ubisoft on the video game," said triple Academy Award® winner and King Kong director Peter Jackson. "Being able to collaborate closely together from day one is of utmost importance, which is why we've given Ubisoft unlimited access to every creative aspect of our film production. We really want the game and the film to be part of the same universe."
"We're amazed by Peter Jackson's creativity and what he brings to the project," said Michel Ancel, creative director at Ubisoft. "Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie is a creation that closely follows the storyline of the movie yet, as video games have the innate ability to do, will push the emotional tension of the film to even greater depths. Players will experience unprecedented dual game play within a movie-licensed game which alternates between Jack Driscoll in first-person and as King Kong in third-person. These contrasting perspectives will immerse players into the journey featuring epic battles, tough choices and a dynamic experience within the visually stunning environment of Skull Island."
Key Features
Unprecedented Alternating Gameplay Battle for survival on Skull Island in first-person as Jack Driscoll AND experience the staggering power of King Kong in third-person taking on massive beasts.
Cinematic Quality By integrating Weta assets directly into the game engine, and taking a true cinematic approach, from both a visual and audio perspective, players are thrust directly onto the Skull Island where the dark jungles, over-sized environment and lurking danger become reality.
Cooperate with Your Expedition Team Each team member plays a crucial role and complements each other with valuable skills and abilities. The player relies on them and vice-versa to succeed. The unique resource management system keeps the action seamless and plausible while keeping items, weapons and assets readily available.
The Power of King Kong King Kong is one of the most powerful of all the creatures on Skull Island and players will learn first-hand what it means to be feared, respected and dominant. Kong will use both his agility and his raw, brute strength by any means necessary to battle enemies and navigate though the perils of Skull Island.
Experience All Key Movie Moments and More Journey through the explosive action of all the key movie moments, as Jack and Kong, and even explore the beautifully-rendered mysterious jungle environments not seen in the film.
Engage in Climactic Battles Intense and unbelievable battles with all creatures featured in the film challenge players' nerves and skills in fighting the savage beasts created by Weta - some of which are exclusive to the game.
Film Cast Likeness and Voice Full immersion into the dynamic King Kong universe realized via inclusion of film cast member's likenesses and voice-over.
For more information on Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie, visit the official Web site at www.kingkonggame.com.
