King Kong is a legendary movie monster that has captured the imagination of audiences for nearly a century. In the 2017 film “Kong: Skull Island,” the character is reimagined for a new generation of fans. In this essay, we will explore the age of King Kong in “Kong: Skull Island,” from his origins to his appearance in the film.
Origins
King Kong has been depicted in various ways throughout his history, and his origins have been the subject of much speculation and debate. In the original 1933 film, Kong is portrayed as a fully grown adult, with no explanation given for his age or how he came to be on Skull Island. However, subsequent films and adaptations have explored various explanations for Kong’s origins.
In “Kong: Skull Island,” the filmmakers opted to create a new and unique origin story for the character. According to the film’s director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Kong is a young adult in the film, approximately 100 years old. The filmmakers wanted to create a Kong that was both realistic and fantastical, a creature that was both awe-inspiring and sympathetic.
The film introduces a new mythology surrounding Kong and his place in the ecosystem of Skull Island. The island is revealed to be a place where prehistoric creatures and giant monsters still exist, and Kong is the last of his kind, a powerful and intelligent protector of the island. The filmmakers also added a new human element to Kong’s story, with a group of explorers and soldiers discovering the island and encountering Kong for the first time.
Appearance
Kong is a massive and powerful creature in “Kong: Skull Island,” standing over 100 feet tall and weighing over 150 tons. He has a muscular build, with long arms and legs, and a thick coat of fur covering his body. The design of Kong in the film was influenced by a number of factors, including the original 1933 film, as well as real-life gorillas and other primates.
The filmmakers wanted to create a Kong that was both realistic and fantastical, a creature that was both awe-inspiring and sympathetic. They achieved this by giving Kong a range of emotions and behaviors, such as his protectiveness of the human characters and his fierce determination to defend his home. The result was a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that breathed new life into one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time.
Age
In “Kong: Skull Island,” Kong is depicted as a young adult, approximately 100 years old. This makes him significantly younger than the Kong depicted in the original 1933 film, who was assumed to be fully grown and fully mature. The decision to make Kong a young adult in “Kong: Skull Island” was a deliberate one, intended to create a sense of vulnerability and potential for growth in the character.
This allowed the filmmakers to explore new aspects of Kong’s personality and behavior, as well as to set the stage for future films in the franchise. The filmmakers wanted to create a Kong that was both realistic and fantastical, a creature that was both awe-inspiring and sympathetic. They achieved this by giving Kong a range of emotions and behaviors, such as his protectiveness of the human characters and his fierce determination to defend his home.
Relationship with Humans
One of the most interesting aspects of Kong’s character in “Kong: Skull Island” is his relationship with the human characters. Unlike previous versions of the character, who were often portrayed as mindless beasts, Kong in this film is depicted as intelligent and empathetic.
Throughout the film, Kong forms a bond with the human characters, particularly with a character named Mason Weaver, played by Brie Larson. This relationship is one of mutual respect and understanding, with Kong protecting the humans from the dangers of the island and the humans recognizing Kong as a powerful and noble creature.
The relationship between Kong and the humans is also significant because it sets up the potential for future conflicts and alliances. In the wider franchise, Kong is often portrayed as a rival or ally to other giant monsters, such as Godzilla. The human characters, who have a connection to Kong, could potentially play a role in these conflicts and alliances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the age of King Kong in “Kong: Skull Island” is approximately 100 years old, making him a young adult in the prime of his life. The filmmakers opted to create a new and unique origin story for the character, one that allowed them to explore new aspects of his personality and behavior. The result was a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that breathed new life into one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time. As the franchise continues to expand, it will be interesting to see how the character of Kong continues to evolve and grow, particularly in his relationship with humans and other monsters.
Related content: