Feature Film
King Kong
2005
Filmed In
Wellington
Towns & Areas
Miramar Peninsula · Lyall Bay
The Story
A spectacular, action-packed reimagining of the classic 1933 monster movie. An ambitious filmmaker drags his cast and crew to the mysterious Skull Island, only to discover a prehistoric world ruled by a towering, tragic giant ape.
The Stars
Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, and Andy Serkis (bringing Kong to life via motion capture). This ensemble anchors a production that rebuilt 1930s New York almost entirely on New Zealand soil.
Behind the Lens
Peter Jackson took a break from fantasy to tackle his ultimate passion project. Jackson had wanted to remake the 1933 original since childhood, long before he had the resources to do so.
Why NZ?
Jackson kept the mega-production local. Wellington's Miramar peninsula was transformed into the streets of 1930s New York, while the rugged, windswept coastline of Lyall Bay doubled as the perilous shores of Skull Island. The doubling was so effective that some period details built for the shoot have since become minor local landmarks in their own right.
On Set
Andy Serkis developed what the production nicknamed the "Kongalizer" — a vocal and movement system built around actually moving on all fours in a custom suit, rather than relying purely on digital animation. Off camera, Peter Jackson personally covered around $32 million of the film's budget overrun himself rather than compromise the production.
Legacy
Peter Jackson's version won three Academy Awards for its visual and sound work, and stands as one of the most technically ambitious creature films of its era.
Full in depth information, stories, anecdotes and fascinating facts of every movie in the regional guides.
Get The Full Guide
Secure Your Founding Member Access All 10 Region Guides, All 45 Movies