John C. Reilly thinks ‘Kong: Skull Island’ gives a "great spin" on the King Kong franchise.
The 51-year-old actor stars as World War II Lieutenant Hank Marlow – a man who has been stuck on the titular island for 28 years – in the upcoming reboot of the popular franchise, which was first established in 1933, and has he "really enjoyed" working on the production.
Speaking at the European premiere of the movie in London’s Leicester Square on Tuesday (28.02.17), John said: "I’m excited to bring this story to the whole world, it’s a really appealing story. I think it’s a great spin on the King Kong myth and I really enjoyed it myself so I’m thrilled to share it with everybody."
And John – who stars alongside the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L. Jackson in the monster movie – says audiences get to spend "a lot more time" with the titular colossal ape than in previous installments of the franchise.
Asked what audiences can expect from the production, he said: "Well you spend a lot more time with King Kong himself in this movie than I think in any other version. You see him early and often, and it’s awesome. The technology of the CGI at the point is pretty impressive."
Meanwhile, John admits it was director Jordan Vogt-Roberts who drew him to the production, as his "vision" made the project "seem really fun".
Asked why he took on the role, John said: "I like the character a lot that I play. He’s this kind of cast away, lost in time guy. And also it was Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ personality that really drew me in. Jordan just seemed to have the whole thing, this vision in his head of the way he was going to do this, and it seemed really fun."