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{{Kaiju Infobox|info-name=yes|info-phys=yes|info-affil=yes|info-real=yes|info-misc=yes
{{Kaiju Infobox|info-name=yes|info-phys=yes|info-affil=yes|info-real=yes|info-misc=yes
|type1            =Dark
|type1            =Ground
|type2            =Brown
|type2            =Brown
|header          ={{RKO}} {{Slash}} {{Universal}} {{Kaijup}}
|image            =Kong 2021 infobox cropped.png
|altimage        =<tabs style="color:black; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
|caption          =King Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong
<tab name="2017">[[File:C42xsqtVMAA9xFE.jpg large.jpg|330px|King Kong in Kong: Skull Island]]</tab>
|name            =King Kong
<tab name="1933">[[File:Kong 1933.jpg|330px|King Kong in King Kong (1933)]]</tab>
|subtitle        =Demon King of the Jungle<br>{{small|{{Nihongo|ジャングルの魔王|Janguru no Maō}}}}{{sup|[[King Kong (1933 film)|KK33]]}}<ref>[[File:King_Kong_1933_Japanese_Poster.jpg|150px]]</ref><br>Great Strong Monster<br>{{Nihongo|大怪力怪獣|Daikairiki Kaijū}}{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]], [[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]|date=23 July 2014|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|pages=30, 46|isbn=4-096-82090-3}}</ref><br>Giant Demon God<br>{{Nihongo|巨大なる魔神|Kyodainaru Majin}}{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia"/><br>Demon of the South Seas<br>{{Nihongo|南海の魔神|Nankai no Majin}}{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}}<ref name="GEncyclopedia">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla All Giant Monsters Pictorial Book]]|date=6 July 2021|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|page=62|isbn=978-4-06-523491-4}}</ref><ref name="GTGMPBook">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Toho Giant Monster Pictorial Book]]|date=1 April 2005|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=78|isbn=4-09-280052-5}}</ref><br>Giant Monster<br>{{Nihongo|大怪獣|Daikaijū}}<ref>[[File:168777604_805732120040348_382744355706474449_n.jpg|150px]]</ref><br>Ruler of the South Seas<br>{{Nihongo|南海の王者|Nankai no Ōja}}{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}}<br>King of the World<br>{{Nihongo|世界の王者|Sekai no Ōja}}{{sup|[[The King Kong Show|TKKS]]}}<br>Guardian God of Skull Island<br>{{small|{{Nihongo|髑髏島の守護神|Dokurotō no Shugoshin}}}}{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}<br>The-Mountain-Who-Thunders-Death<br>Guardian Deity {{Nihongo|守護神|Shugoshin}}{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. Kong|GvK]]}}
<tab name="1962">[[File:ShodaiKongu_in_Japan_2.jpg|330px|King Kong in King Kong vs. Godzilla]]</tab>
|classification  =Titanus Kong (individual){{sup|[[Monsterverse|MV]]}}<br>''Apus Giganticus'' ([[Kong's species|species]]){{sup|[[Monsterverse|MV]]}}<ref name="Omnibus">{{cite book|title=[[Legends of the Monsterverse: The Omnibus]]|last=Napton|first=Robert|date=2023|publisher=Legendary Comics|page=442|isbn=978-1681161174}}</ref><ref group="note">Hidden text only accessible in the revised PDF of the collection.</ref>
<tab name="1967">[[File:King_Kong3.jpg|330px|King Kong in King Kong Escapes]]</tab>
|species          =Giant ape (''Megaprimatus kong''{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}})
<tab name="De Laurentiis">[[File:King Kong 1986 Still.jpg|330px|King Kong in King Kong Lives]]</tab>
|nicknames        =Kong, The Eighth Wonder of the World,<br>The Eighth Wonder, The Beast, The Greatest King, Monkey, Kingkong<ref>[[File:KK.PNG|150px]]</ref>
<tab name="2005">[[File:Kong 2005.jpg|330px|King Kong in King Kong (2005)]]</tab>
|height          ={{tt|15.24 meters|50 feet}}{{sup|[[King Kong (1933 film)|KK33]], [[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]-[[King Kong Lives|KKL]]}},<br>45 meters{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<ref>{{cite book|title=[[The Official Godzilla Compendium]]|author=J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini|date=24 March 1998|publisher= [[Random House]]|page=131|isbn=0279888225}}<br>[[File:Compendium17.png|150px]]</ref><ref name="GGMSE"/><br>20 meters{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}},<ref name="GGMSE">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Giant Monsters Super Encyclopedia]]|edition=4th|date=15 March 1994|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|page=26|isbn=978-4063042702}}</ref><br>{{tt|7.62 meters|25 feet}}{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}},<br>{{tt|31.6 meters|104 feet}}{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}<ref name="KSI WBJP Tweet">[https://twitter.com/warnerjp/status/832516906628194305 Warner Bros. JP Tweet]</ref><ref name="Kong-Sized">[http://kongsized.kongskullislandmovie.com/ Kong-Sized]</ref><br>{{tt|102 meters|334.6 feet}}{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. Kong|GvK]]}}<ref name="KingKong2021Height">[[File:Kong2021Height.jpeg |150px]]</ref>
</tabs>
|name            =King Kong{{tt|™|The majority of the character rights to King Kong are owned by Universal Pictures. The estate of Merian C. Cooper, Time Warner and StudioCanal own those rights to King Kong not already held by Universal or included in the public domain. 41 Entertainment has claimed to own all rights to the character in all forms of animation. Character used by Toho Company Ltd. with permission.}}
 
|subtitle        =Demon King of the Jungle<br>{{Nihongo|ジャングルの魔王|Janguru no Maō}}{{sup|[[King Kong (1933 film)|KK33]]}}<br>Great Strong Monster<br>{{Nihongo|大怪力怪獣|Daikairiki Kaijū}}{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]], [[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia">{{cite book|title=[[Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia]]|date=23 July [[2014]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|pages=30, 46|isbn=4-096-82090-3}}</ref><br>Giant Devil<br>{{Nihongo|巨大なる魔神|Kyodainaru Majin}}{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia"/><br>Ruler of the South Seas<br>{{Nihongo|南海の王者|Nankai no Ōja}}{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}}<br>Devil of the South Seas<br>{{Nihongo|南海の魔神|Nankai no Majin}}<ref name="GTGMPBook">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Toho Giant Monster Pictorial Book]]|date=1 April [[2005]]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|page=78|isbn=4-09-280052-5}}</ref><br>Guardian God of Skull Island<br>{{small|{{Nihongo|髑髏島の守護神|Dokurotō no Shugoshin}}}}{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|K:SI]]}}
 
|species          =Giant ape<br>''Megaprimatus kong''{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}}<br>''Titanus Kong''{{sup|[[MonsterVerse|MV]]}}
|nicknames        =Kong, Eighth Wonder of the World,<br>The Eighth Wonder, The Beast, Gorilla, The Greatest King
 
|height          ={{tt|~15.24 meters|~50 feet}}{{sup|[[King Kong (1933 film)|KK33]], [[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]-[[King Kong Lives|KKL]]}},<br>45 meters{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<ref>{{cite book|title=[[The Official Godzilla Compendium]]|author=J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini|date=24 March [[1998]]|publisher= [[Random House]]|page=131|isbn=0279888225}}<br>[[File:Compendium17.png|150px]]</ref><ref name="GGMSE"/><br>20 meters{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}},<ref name="GGMSE">{{cite book|title=[[Godzilla Giant Monsters Super Encyclopedia]]|ed=4th edition|date=15 March 1994|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|page=26|isbn=978-4063042702}}</ref><br>{{tt|7.62 meters|25 feet}}{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}},<br>{{tt|31.6 meters|104 feet}}{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}<ref name="KSI WBJP Tweet">[https://twitter.com/warnerjp/status/832516906628194305 Warner Bros. JP Tweet]</ref><ref name="Kong-Sized">[http://kongsized.kongskullislandmovie.com/ Kong-Sized]</ref>
 
|weight          =20,500 metric tons{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<ref name="GGMSE"/><br>10,000 metric tons{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}},<ref name="GGMSE"/><br>5 tons{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}},<br>158 tons{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}<ref name="KSI WBJP Tweet"/><ref name="Kong-Sized">[http://kongsized.kongskullislandmovie.com/ Kong-Sized]</ref>
|weight          =20,500 metric tons{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<ref name="GGMSE"/><br>10,000 metric tons{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}},<ref name="GGMSE"/><br>5 tons{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}},<br>158 tons{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}<ref name="KSI WBJP Tweet"/><ref name="Kong-Sized">[http://kongsized.kongskullislandmovie.com/ Kong-Sized]</ref>
 
|forms            =[[Cyber-Link Mutant|Mega Kong]]{{sup|[[Kong: The Animated Series|KTAS]]}},<br>Baby{{sup|[[Kong: King of the Apes|KKotA]]}}, Juvenile{{sup|[[Kong: King of the Apes|KKotA]]}}
|forms            =Human size{{sup|[[Go! Greenman|G!G]]}}, [[Cyber-Link Monster|Mega Kong]]{{sup|[[Kong: The Animated Series|K:TAS]]}},<br>Baby{{sup|[[Kong: King of the Apes|K:KotA]]}}, Juvenile{{sup|[[Kong: King of the Apes|K:KotA]]}}
|allies          =[[Lady Kong]],<br>[[Jason Jenkins]]{{sup|[[Kong: The Animated Series|KTAS]]}}, [[Ann Darrow]]{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}}, [[James Conrad]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}, [[Mason Weaver]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}, [[Hank Marlow]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}, [[Jia]]{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. Kong|GvK]]}}, [[Godzilla|{{tt|Godzilla|After Jia covinced him that Mechagodzilla was the true enemy}}]]{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. Kong|GvK]]}}, [[Suko]]
|allies          =[[Tonchiki]]{{sup|[[Go! Greenman|G!G]]}}, [[Maoh]]{{sup|[[Go! Greenman|G!G]]}}, [[Lady Kong]],<br>[[Jason Jenkins]]{{sup|[[Kong: The Animated Series|KTAS]]}}, [[Ann Darrow]]{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}}, [[James Conrad]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}, [[Mason Weaver]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}, [[Hank Marlow]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}
|enemies          =[[Meat-Eater]], ''[[Elasmosaurus]]'', ''[[Pteranodon]]'', [[Godzilla]], [[Gorosaurus]], [[Giant Octopus]], [[Mechani-Kong]], [[Giant Sea Serpent]], [[Giant Boa]], ''[[Vastatosaurus rex|V. rex]]'', ''[[Terapusmordax]]'', [[Skullcrawler]]s, [[Mire Squid]], [[Preston Packard]], [[Death Jackal]]s, [[Sirenjaw]], [[Mother Longlegs]], [[Camazotz]], [[Warbat]]s, [[Hellhawk]]s, [[Mechagodzilla]], [[Skar King]], [[Shimo]], Supergirl{{Sup|[[Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong|JLvGvK]]}}
|enemies          =[[Meat-Eater]], [[Elasmosaurus]], [[Pteranodon]], [[Godzilla]], [[Gorosaurus]],<br>[[Giant Octopus]], [[Dr. Who]], [[Mechani-Kong]], [[Giant Sea Serpent]], [[Greenman]],<br>[[giant boa]], [[Vastatosaurus rex]], [[Terapusmordax]], [[Skullcrawler]]s, [[Mire Squid]],<br>[[Preston Packard]], [[Death Jackal]]s, [[Sirenjaw]], [[Mother Longlegs]], [[Camazotz]]
|originplace      =[[Faro Island]]{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia"/><br>[[Mondo Island]]{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia"/>
|originplace      =[[Faro Island]]{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia"/><br>[[Mondo Island]]{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}}<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia"/>
|controlled      =[[Dr. Who]]{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}} {{small|(temporarily)}}, [[Tonchiki]]{{sup|[[Go! Greenman|G!G]]}}
|controlled      =[[Dr. Who]]{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}} {{small|(temporarily)}}
|relationships    ={{small|[[Kiko]], [[Baby Kong]]}} {{small|(sons)}},<br>[[Tonchiki]] {{Small|(creator)}}{{sup|[[Go! Greenman|G!G]]}},<br>[[Lady Kong]] {{small|(ate)}}<br>[[Jason Jenkins]] {{small|("brother")}}
|relationships    =[[Kiko]], [[Baby Kong]] {{small|(sons)}},<br>[[Lady Kong]] {{small|(mate)}}<br>[[Jason Jenkins]] {{small|("brother")}},<br>[[Junior (King Kong's Cousin)|Junior]] {{small|(cousin)}}
|created          =Merian C. Cooper
|created          =[[Merian C. Cooper]]
|portrayed        =Stop-motion animation{{sup|[[King Kong (1933 film)|KK33]]}},<br>[[Shoichi Hirose]]{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<br>[[Haruo Nakajima]]{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}},<br>[[Rick Baker]]{{sup|[[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]}},<br>[[Peter Cullen]] {{small|(Vocals)}}{{sup|[[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]-[[King Kong Lives|KKL]]}},<br>[[Peter Elliott]]{{sup|[[King Kong Lives|KKL]]}},<br>[[Andy Serkis]]{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}},<br>Seth Green {{small|(Voice)}}{{sup|[[wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|TLBM]]}},<br>[[Terry Notary]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|K:SI]]}}<ref>[http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/11/kong-skull-island-toby-kebbell?xid=entertainment-weekly_socialflow_twitter Toby Kebbell clears up ''Kong: Skull Island'' rumors - Entertainment Weekly]</ref>
|portrayed        =Stop-motion animation{{sup|[[King Kong (1933 film)|KK33]]}},<br>[[Shoichi Hirose]]{{sup|[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|KKvG]]}},<br>[[Haruo Nakajima]]{{sup|[[King Kong Escapes|KKE]]}},<br>[[Rick Baker]]{{sup|[[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]}},<br>Will Shephard{{sup|[[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]}},<br>[[Peter Cullen]] {{small|(vocals)}}{{sup|[[King Kong (1976 film)|KK76]]-[[King Kong Lives|KKL]]}},<br>[[Peter Elliott]]{{sup|[[King Kong Lives|KKL]]}},<br>[[Scott McNeil]]{{sup|[[Kong: The Animated Series|K:TAS]]}},<br>[[Andy Serkis]]{{sup|[[King Kong (2005 film)|KK05]]}},<br>[[Frank Welker]]{{sup|[[Peter Jackson King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie|KKG]]}},<br>Seth Green {{small|(voice)}}{{sup|[[wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|TLBM]]}},<br>[[Tobey Kebbell]] and [[Terry Notary]]{{sup|[[Kong: Skull Island|KSI]]}}<ref>[http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/11/kong-skull-island-toby-kebbell Toby Kebbell clears up ''Kong: Skull Island'' rumors - Entertainment Weekly]</ref>,<br>Eric Petey{{sup|[[Godzilla vs. Kong|GvK]]}}<ref name="Petey">{{cite web|url=https://beforesandafters.com/2021/04/15/how-kongs-ocean-showdown-with-godzilla-was-made/|title=How Kong’s ocean showdown with Godzilla was made|author=Ian Failes|date=8 May 2021|work=befores & afters}}</ref>
|debut            =[[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]
|debut            =[[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]
|last            =''[[Kong: Skull Island]]''
|last            =''[[Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire|Godzilla x Kong:<br>The New Empire]]''
|roar            ='''[[King Kong (1933 film)|1933]]'''[[File:King Kong 1933 Roar.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
|roar            ='''[[King Kong (1933 film)|1933]]''':[[File:King Kong 1933 Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|1962]]-[[King Kong Escapes|1967]]'''[[File:Toho King Kong Roar.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla|1962]]-[[King Kong Escapes|1967]]''':[[File:Toho King Kong Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''''[[Go! Greenman|Greenman]]'''''[[File:Gorilla Roar Showa.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong (1976 film)|1976]]''':[[File:King Kong 1976 Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong (1976 film)|1976]]-[[King Kong Lives|1986]]'''[[File:King Kong 1976 Roar.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong Lives|1986]]''':[[File:(King Kong Lives 1986) Kongs Roar.mp3|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''''[[Kong: The Animated Series|Animated Series]]'''''[[File:Kong KTAS Roar.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''''[[The Mighty Kong]]''''':[[File:Kong roar TMK.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong (2005 film)|2005]]'''[[File:King Kong 2005 Roar.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''''[[Kong: The Animated Series|The Animated Series]]''''':[[File:Kong KTAS Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''''[[Kong: King of the Apes|King of the Apes]]'''''[[File:Kong Roar KKotA.ogg|180px|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[King Kong (2005 film)|2005]]''':[[File:King Kong 2005 Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[Kong: Skull Island|2017]]'''[[File:King Kong 2017 Roar.ogg|180px|noicon]]
----->'''''[[Kong: King of the Apes|King of the Apes]]''''':[[File:Kong Roar KKotA.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[Kong: Skull Island|2017]]''':[[File:King Kong 2017 Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]<!-----
----->'''[[Godzilla vs. Kong|2021]], ''[[Skull Island (series)|Skull Island]]''''':[[File:Kong V2 Roar.ogg|180px|center|noicon]]
{{More Roars}}
{{More Roars}}
}}
}}
{{Quote|And now, ladies and gentlemen, before I tell you any more, I'm going to show you the greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive, a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at '''Kong''', the Eighth Wonder of the World!|[[Carl Denham]] (''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'')}}
{{Quote|And now, ladies and gentlemen, before I tell you any more, I'm going to show you the greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in the [[Skull Island|world]] he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive, a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at '''Kong''', the Eighth Wonder of the World!|[[Carl Denham]] (''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'')}}
'''King Kong''' {{Nihongo|キングコング|Kingu Kongu}} is a giant ape monster who first appeared in the [[1933]] [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]] film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]''. His first appearance in a [[Toho]] film was the [[1962]] [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]] [[:Category:Godzilla Films|film]], ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''.
'''King Kong''' {{Nihongo|キングコング|Kingu Kongu}}<ref name="Name" group="note">King Kong's Japanese name is spelled with an interpunct (キング・コング) in ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' ([[1933]]) and its [[King Kong (2005 film)|2005 remake]]. All other Japanese-language media spell the name without an interpunct.</ref> is a giant ape monster who first appeared in the [[1933]] [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]] film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]''.


One of the most well-known monsters in all of cinema, Kong made his debut in the 1933 film bearing his name. Though he has been reimagined many times in many different films, Kong is always depicted as a gigantic gorilla-like ape residing on a remote island hidden from civilization and inhabited by other bizarre creatures. Typically, Kong is worshiped as a god by the natives living on the island, who often sacrifice women to him, whom he accepts as his "brides." In the original film and its two remakes, Kong is taken away from his island by an expedition team from the [[United States]] and brought back to [[New York]], where he escapes and goes on a violent rampage before climbing a skyscraper and being gunned down by military aircraft and falling to his death. [[Toho]] acquired the rights to use Kong for their 1962 film ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', where he was drastically scaled up and pitted against Toho's flagship monster [[Godzilla]]. Toho made another film featuring Kong, ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', in 1967, where Kong battled against an evil robotic duplicate dubbed [[Mechani-Kong]]. The original ''King Kong'' was [[King Kong (1976 film)|remade]] in 1976 by Dino De Laurentiis and [[Paramount Pictures]], and a sequel to this remake titled ''[[King Kong Lives]]'' was released in 1986. [[Universal Pictures]] released their own [[King Kong (2005 film)|remake]] in 2005, directed by Peter Jackson. In 2017, Kong became part of [[Legendary Pictures]] and [[Warner Bros.]]' [[MonsterVerse]] after appearing in the film ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', which is meant to set up another confrontation with Godzilla in the film ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'' in 2020.
One of the most well-known monsters in all of cinema, Kong made his debut in the 1933 film bearing his name. Though he has been reimagined many times in many different films, Kong is usually portrayed as a gigantic gorilla-like ape residing on a remote island (sometimes dubbed [[Skull Island]]) hidden from civilization and inhabited by other bizarre creatures. Typically, Kong is worshiped as a god by the natives living on the island, who often sacrifice young women to him, whom he accepts as his "brides." In the original film and its two remakes, Kong is taken away from his island by an expedition team from the [[United States]] and brought back to [[New York]], where he escapes and goes on a violent rampage before climbing a skyscraper, then being gunned down by military aircraft and falling to his death. [[Toho]] acquired the rights to use Kong for their 1962 film ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'', where he was drastically scaled up and pitted against Toho's flagship monster [[Godzilla]]. Toho made another film featuring Kong, ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', in 1967, where Kong battled an evil robot duplicate of himself named [[Mechani-Kong]]. The original ''King Kong'' was [[King Kong (1976 film)|remade]] in 1976 by [[Dino De Laurentiis]], and a sequel to this remake titled ''[[King Kong Lives]]'' was released in [[1986]]. [[Universal Pictures]] released their own [[King Kong (2005 film)|remake]] in [[2005]], directed by Peter Jackson. In 2017, Kong became part of [[Legendary Pictures]] and [[Warner Bros.]]' [[Monsterverse]] after appearing in the film ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]''. In this continuity, Kong witnessed the brutal death of his [[Kong's mother|par]][[Kong's father|ents]] at the hands of the [[Skullcrawler]]s shortly after his birth, leading him to become the self-appointed guardian of Skull Island. He reappears in the film's [[2021]] sequel ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'', in which he initially enters into conflict with [[Godzilla (Monsterverse)|Godzilla]] but eventually sides with him to destroy the [[Apex Cybernetics]]-constructed anti-[[Titan]] weapon [[Mechagodzilla (Monsterverse)|Mechagodzilla]].


This is an overview page. To view information on specific incarnations of King Kong, please visit the [[King Kong#Incarnations|King Kong incarnation subpages]].
This is an overview page. To view information on specific incarnations of King Kong, please click on their corresponding boxes in the table below.
{|
{|
|<!--------|{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/1933|name=King Kong (1933)|image=Kong 1933 infobox HD.png}}------>
||{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (RKO)|name=King Kong (RKO)|image=Kong 1933 infobox HD.png}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/1962|name=King Kong (1962)|image=Thump 251086315-king-kong.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (King Kong vs. Godzilla)|name=King Kong (''KKvG'')|image=ShowaKong portal.png}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/1967|name=King Kong (1967)|image=King Kong3.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (King Kong Escapes)|name=King Kong (''KKE'')|image=King Kong3.jpg}}
<!--------{{portalskinsmall|articlename=Gorilla|name=Gorilla|image=Ike! Kong.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (De Laurentiis)|name={{small|King Kong {{Small|(De Laurentiis)}}}}|image=King Kong 1986 Still.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/De Laurentiis|name={{small|King Kong {{Small|(De Laurentiis)}}}}|image=King Kong 1986 Still.jpg}}
<!--------{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/The Mighty Kong|name={{small2|King Kong {{small3|(''The Mighty Kong'')}}}}|image=Kong TMK.png}}--------->
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/The Mighty Kong|name={{small2|King Kong {{small3|(''The Mighty Kong'')}}}}|image=Kong TMK.png}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (Universal)|name={{small|King Kong (Universal)}}|image=King Kong 2005.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/2005|name=King Kong (2005)|image=King Kong 2005.jpg}}--------->
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (Monsterverse)|name=King Kong (MV)|image=Kong 2021.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong/Legendary|name={{small2|King Kong (MonsterVerse)}}|image=C42xsqtVMAA9xFE.jpg large.jpg}}
{{portalskinsmall|articlename=King Kong (Ready Player One)|name={{small|King Kong (''RPO'')}}|image=RPOKONGHQ.png}}
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{{TOC}}
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==Name==
==Name==
King Kong was named by Merian C. Cooper who, after consulting with his friend W. Douglas Burden, decided upon the name "Kong" due to his liking of single-syllable film titles with peculiar sounds and liking of the hard 'K' sound. The prefix "King" was later attached to the original film's title, and by extent Kong himself, after a complaint from executives at RKO who refused to accept the title due to it having "a Chinese sound" and being too similar to the name of Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack's 1927 film, ''[[wikipedia:Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness|Chang]]''. Prior to King Kong being decided upon, the titles "The Eighth Wonder" and "The Beast" were considered,<ref name="Digibook">{{cite book|author=Rudy Behlmer|title=[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]] Blu-ray DigiBook|date=28 September [[2010]]|publisher=Warner Bros.|pages=5, 22}}</ref> the former of which would be extended to '''The Eight Wonder of the World''' and used as a nickname for Kong within the film.
King Kong was named by Merian C. Cooper who, after consulting with his friend W. Douglas Burden, decided upon the name "Kong" due to his liking of single-syllable film titles with peculiar sounds and liking of the hard 'K' sound. The prefix "King" was later attached to the original film's title, and by extent Kong himself, after a complaint from executives at RKO who refused to accept the title due to it having "a Chinese sound" and being too similar to the name of Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack's 1927 film, ''[[wikipedia:Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness|Chang]]''. Prior to King Kong being decided upon, the titles "The Eighth Wonder" and "The Beast" were considered,<ref name="Digibook">{{cite book|author=Rudy Behlmer|title=[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]] Blu-ray DigiBook|date=28 September 2010|publisher=Warner Bros.|pages=5, 22}}</ref> the former of which would be extended to '''The Eighth Wonder of the World''' and used as a nickname for Kong within the film.


For Kong's appearances in the Japanese [[Toho]] films ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' and ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', as well as Japanese releases of the other American Kong films, his name is converted into katakana as ''Kingu Kongu'' {{Nihongo|{{tt|キングコング|Sometimes written with an interpunct as キング・コング, such as with the Japanese release of the 1933 King Kong.}}}}. These incarnations of Kong are also given several Japanese subtitles, including '''Great Strong Monster''' {{Nihongo|大怪力怪獣|Dai Kairiki Kaijū}}, '''Giant Devil''' {{Nihongo|巨大なる魔神|Kyodainaru Majin}},<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia" /> and '''Devil of the South Seas''' {{Nihongo|南海の魔神|Nankai no Majin}}.<ref name="GTGMPBook" /> In ''King Kong Escapes'', the [[Mondo Island]]ers refer to Kong as '''Bon Kong''' {{Nihongo|ボーコング|Kongu}}, with 'Bon' meaning "King" in their language. For his appearance in [[Greenman vs. Gorilla|episode 38]] of the [[:Category:Television Series|television program]] ''[[Go! Greenman]]'', King Kong's name was changed to '''Gorilla''' {{Nihongo|ゴリラ|Gorira}}, presumably due to issues with Toho no longer holding the rights to Kong. Additionally, the King Kong from ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' is given the subtitle '''Guardian God of Skull Island''' {{Nihongo|髑髏島の守護神|Dokurotō no Shugoshin}} and is referred to as the '''Giant God of Skull Island''' {{Nihongo|髑髏島の巨神|Dokurotō no Kyoshin}} and '''The Greatest King''' {{Nihongo|最大の王|Saidai no Ō}} by the film's Japanese title and trailer, respectively.
For Kong's appearances in the Japanese [[Toho]] films ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' and ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', as well as Japanese releases of the other American Kong films, his name is converted into katakana as ''Kingu Kongu'' {{Nihongo|{{tt|キングコング|Sometimes written with an interpunct as キング・コング, such as with the Japanese release of the 1933 King Kong.}}}}. These incarnations of Kong are also given several Japanese subtitles, including '''Great Strong Monster''' {{Nihongo|大怪力怪獣|Dai Kairiki Kaijū}}, '''Giant Devil''' {{Nihongo|巨大なる魔神|Kyodainaru Majin}},<ref name="TSEAMEncyclopedia" /> and '''Demon of the South Seas''' {{Nihongo|南海の魔神|Nankai no Majin}}.<ref name="GEncyclopedia"/><ref name="GTGMPBook"/> In ''King Kong Escapes'', the [[Mondo Island]]ers refer to Kong as '''Bon Kong''' {{Nihongo|ボンコング|Bon Kongu}}<ref>[[File:Bon kong R2 subtitles.jpeg|200px]]</ref>, with 'Bon' meaning "King" in their language. The King Kong from ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' is given the subtitle '''Guardian God of Skull Island''' {{Nihongo|髑髏島の守護神|Dokurotō no Shugoshin}} and is referred to as the '''Giant God of Skull Island''' {{Nihongo|髑髏島の巨神|Dokurotō no Kyoshin}} and '''The Greatest King''' {{Nihongo|最大の王|Saidai no Ō}} by the film's Japanese title and trailer, respectively.
 
The incarnation of King Kong featured in ''King Kong Escapes'' is sometimes denoted as the '''Second Generation King Kong''' {{Nihongo|2代目キングコング|Nidaime Kingu Kongu}}.<ref name="GGDictionary">{{cite book|author=Nomura, Kohei|title=Godzilla Dictionary|publisher|Kasakura Publishing|date=5 December 2004|isbn=4773002921}}</ref> After Toho lost the rights to the character, they displayed the suit from this film at a public event under the name '''King Gorilla''' {{Nihongo|キングゴリラ|Kingu Gorira}}.<ref>[[File:Kong display.png|150px]]</ref>
 
The character is often referred to as just '''Kong''', with the "King" title only used during the ill-fated promotional events exhibiting him to the public. In ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'' and ''King Kong Escapes'', he is referred to primarily by his full name of "King Kong." In ''Escapes'' specifically, he is initially known only as "Kong" before [[Carl Nelson]] hears a native of [[Mondo Island]] refer to him as ''Bon Kong'', which he translates as "King Kong." In the [[Monsterverse]], he is only referred to as "Kong" onscreen and in the films' titles, though tie-in media such as ''[[Kong: Skull Island - The Official Movie Novelization]]'', ''[[Kong: Skull Island/Soundtrack|Kong: Skull Island - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]'', solicitations for ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'' and some merchandise, as well as the Japanese title for ''Kong: Skull Island'', do use his full name of "King Kong."


The incarnation of King Kong featured in ''King Kong Escapes'' is sometimes denoted as the '''Second Generation King Kong''' {{Nihongo|2代目キングコング|Nidaime Kingu Kongu}}.<ref name="GGDictionary">{{cite book|author=Nomura, Kohei|title=Godzilla Dictionary|publisher|Kasakura Publishing|date=5 December 2004|isbn=4773002921}}</ref>
==Design==
==Design==
In all of his appearances, Kong mostly resembles a giant silverback gorilla, with either light black or brown fur. Kong varies between knuckle-walking like a real gorilla and walking upright like a human, sometimes utilizing both forms of locomotion in the same film. Kong typically has an upright human-like posture and primarily walks upright, although in the the [[King Kong (2005 film)|2005 film]] he more anatomically resembles a real gorilla and moves like one. In this film, Kong's entire body is covered in scars, in order to give him the appearance of being both old and battle-hardened.
In all of his appearances, Kong mostly resembles a giant silverback gorilla, with either light black or brown fur. Kong varies between knuckle-walking like a real gorilla and walking upright like a human, sometimes utilizing both forms of locomotion. Kong typically has an upright human-like posture and primarily walks upright, although in [[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'']] ([[2005]]), he more anatomically resembles a real gorilla and moves like one. In this film, Kong's entire body is covered in scars, in order to give him the appearance of being both old and battle-hardened.
 
==Personality==
==Personality==
In all of his appearances, Kong is portrayed as a tragic and sympathetic monster. Kong lives a very solitary and difficult existence, constantly being attacked by the vicious giant creatures that live on his island. Kong rarely attacks unless provoked, and is capable of causing mass destruction due to his size and strength, which causes human beings to fear and attack him. Kong has a soft spot for human women, and will do anything to protect a woman that he likes, whether it be battling against another monster or military forces. As a result of his experience in fighting other creatures, Kong displays a degree of strategy in his battles, and rarely ends a fight without making sure that his opponent is either dead or incapacitated.
In all of his appearances, Kong is portrayed as a tragic and sympathetic monster. Kong lives a very solitary and difficult existence, constantly being attacked by the vicious giant creatures that live on his island. Kong rarely attacks unless provoked, and is capable of causing mass destruction due to his size and strength, which causes human beings to fear and attack him. Kong has a soft spot for human women and will do anything to protect a woman that he likes, whether it be battling against another monster or military forces. As a result of his experience in fighting other creatures, Kong displays a degree of strategy in his battles and rarely ends a fight without making sure that his opponent is either dead or incapacitated.


Kong demonstrates at least semi-sapience in all of his film appearances. He frequently utilizes environmental objects while fighting, and learns over the course of a battle. In the 2005 film, Kong repeated the sign for "beautiful" to [[Ann Darrow]], who had shown it to him earlier, showing just how intelligent he is.
Kong demonstrates at least semi-sapience in all of his film appearances. He frequently utilizes environmental objects while fighting, and learns over the course of a battle. In the [[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'']] ([[2005]]), Kong repeated the sign for "beautiful" to [[Ann Darrow]], who had shown it to him earlier, showing just how intelligent he is.


In ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', Kong demonstrates a degree of altruism, rescuing a [[Sker Buffalo]] that is pinned underneath a downed helicopter, and later rescuing [[Mason Weaver]] during his battle with the [[Skullcrawler|Skull Devil]]. The film's official tie-in comic, ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'', establishes that Kong actively fights to protect life on the island, as he intervenes on several occasions to defend humans from attacking creatures like [[Death Jackal]]s, [[Sirenjaw]]s, and [[Mother Longlegs]]. While Kong will kill humans if they are actively attacking him or causing harm to life on the island, he is never aggressive towards innocents or non-hostile individuals. Confident in his noble intentions, [[Monarch]] entrusts Kong to defend [[Skull Island]] and keep its [[MUTO (designation)|MUTO]] ecosystem in check.
In ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', Kong demonstrates a degree of altruism, rescuing a [[Sker Buffalo]] that is pinned underneath a downed helicopter, and later rescuing [[Mason Weaver]] during his battle with the [[Skullcrawler|Skull Devil]]. The film's official tie-in comic, ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'', establishes that Kong actively fights to protect life on the island, as he intervenes on several occasions to defend humans from attacking creatures like [[Death Jackal]]s, [[Sirenjaw]]s, and [[Mother Longlegs]]. While Kong will kill humans if they are actively attacking him or causing harm to life on the island, he is never aggressive towards innocents or non-hostile individuals. Confident in his noble intentions, [[Monarch]] entrusts Kong to defend [[Skull Island]] and keep its [[MUTO (designation)|MUTO]] ecosystem in check.
==Origins==
==Origins==
In [[King Kong (1933 film)|the original 1933 film]], [[King Kong (1976 film)|the 1976 remake]], ''[[King Kong Lives]]'', and [[King Kong (2005 film)|the 2005 remake]], Kong is among the last living members of a giant species of ape that lives on the mysterious [[Skull Island]], which is inhabited by other giant creatures as well as a tribe of natives that worship him as a god. Supplementary materials for the 2005 film reveal that incarnation of Kong to be the last surviving member of a species called ''Megaprimatus kong'', and that his kind are likely descended from [[Wikipedia:Gigantopithecus|Gigantopithecus]], the largest known primate to have ever lived and a close relative of modern orangutans, rather than gorillas.
In [[King Kong (1933 film)|the original 1933 ''King Kong'' film]], [[King Kong (1976 film)|the movie's 1976 remake]], ''[[King Kong Lives]]'', and [[King Kong (2005 film)|2005 ''King Kong'' remake]], Kong is among the last living members of a [[Kong's species|species]] of giant ape that lives on the mysterious [[Skull Island]], which is inhabited by other giant creatures as well as a tribe of natives that worship him as a god. Supplementary materials for the 2005 film reveal that incarnation of Kong to be the last surviving member of a species called ''Megaprimatus kong'', and that his kind are likely descended from ''[[Wikipedia:Gigantopithecus|Gigantopithecus]]'', the largest known primate to have ever lived and a close relative of modern orangutans rather than gorillas.


The 1933 Kong's backstory is elaborated upon in the 2005 prequel novel ''[[Kong: King of Skull Island]]''. According to this novel, Kong is the last surviving member of a species of huge apes known as kongs that once were numerous on Skull Island. While he was still an adolescent, Kong and his parents were attacked by a pack of dinosaurs called [[Deathrunner]]s and their huge matriarch [[Gaw]]. Kong's mother and father were both brutally killed in the attack, but Kong survived and grew up with an intense hatred for Gaw and all the meat-eating dinosaurs on the island. Eventually, Kong took his revenge by killing Gaw, establishing himself as the undisputed king of Skull Island and the god worshiped by the natives.
Kong's backstory is elaborated upon in the 2005 novel ''[[Kong: King of Skull Island]]''. According to this novel, Kong is the last surviving member of a species of huge apes known as kongs that once were numerous on Skull Island. While he was still an adolescent, Kong and his parents were attacked by a pack of dinosaurs called [[Deathrunner]]s and their huge matriarch, [[Gaw]]. Kong's mother and father were both brutally killed in the attack, but Kong survived and grew up with an intense hatred for Gaw and all the meat-eating dinosaurs on the island. Eventually, Kong took his revenge by killing Gaw, establishing himself as the undisputed king of Skull Island and the god worshiped by the natives.


The backstory for the 2005 Kong has been given off-screen by people involved in the making of the film. In an interview with the BBC, director Peter Jackson states that Kong never knew his parents because they were "probably killed by dinosaurs" when he was still young and that he had siblings which were also deceased.<ref>Applebuam, Steven. (September 12, 2005) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/12/09/peter_jackson_king_kong_2005_interview.shtml Interview - Peter Jackson]. ''BBC Movies''</ref> In ''Cinefex'' #104, Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop explained of the giant gorilla bones in Kong's lair by stating "We decided to give Kong a graveyard of his ancestors. [...] Gorillas do mourn their dead, and this was where Kong mourned the loss of the only thing that he had social interaction with — it could be his father or mother."<ref>Fordham, Joe. (Januray 2006) Return of the King. ''Cinefex'', 104, p. 75</ref> ''The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture'' states that the skull seen among the gorilla remains was Kong's father.<ref>Wake, Jenny. (December 13, 2005) ''The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture'', p. 118. ''Pocket Books''. ISBN 1416505180.  978-1416505181.</ref>
[[File:Birth of Kong - King Kong Family.png|thumb|200px|left|Members of Kong's species battling [[Skullcrawler]]s in ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'']]
The backstory for the 2005 Kong has been given off-screen by people involved in the making of the film. In an interview with the BBC, director [[Peter Jackson]] states that Kong never knew his parents because they were "probably killed by dinosaurs" when he was still young and that he had siblings which were also deceased.<ref>Applebuam, Steven. (September 12, 2005) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/12/09/peter_jackson_king_kong_2005_interview.shtml Interview - Peter Jackson]. ''BBC Movies''</ref> In ''Cinefex'' #104, Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop explained of the giant gorilla bones in Kong's lair by stating "We decided to give Kong a graveyard of his ancestors. [...] Gorillas do mourn their dead, and this was where Kong mourned the loss of the only thing that he had social interaction with — it could be his father or mother."<ref>Fordham, Joe. (Januray 2006) "Return of the King." ''Cinefex'', 104, p. 75</ref> ''The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture'' states that the skull seen among the gorilla remains was [[Kong's father]].<ref>Wake, Jenny. (December 13, 2005) ''The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture'', p. 118. Pocket Books. ISBN 1416505180.  978-1416505181.</ref>


[[File:Birth of Kong - King Kong Family.png|thumb|200px|left|Members of Kong's species battling [[Skullcrawler]]s in ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'']]In ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'', Kong instead comes from an island called [[Faro Island]], where he is worshiped by the local natives as their mighty god. In ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', Kong is a legendary giant ape that resides on [[Mondo Island]].
In ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'', Kong instead comes from an island called [[Faro Island]], where he is worshiped by the local natives as their mighty god. In ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', Kong is a legendary giant ape that resides on [[Mondo Island]].
 
In ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', Kong is established as the last living member of his species, and still a growing adolescent. Kong's family was wiped out fending off malevolent creatures called [[Skullcrawler]]s that threatened all other life on the island. A painting inside the [[Iwi]]s' temple to Kong depicts what appears to be Kong kneeling in front of the carcasses of his parents, suggesting that he witnessed their deaths. Kong's birth is shown in detail in the official tie-in comic ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]''. Kong's parents were the last two members of their kind on Skull Island, and when [[Kong's mother|his mother]] went into labor with him, they were attacked by a pack of giant Skullcrawlers. [[Kong's father]] fought the beasts off while his mate delivered their son, and hid the infant away inside a nearby cave. Kong's parents were both subsequently slaughtered by the Skullcrawlers in front of him, and died lying next to each other. The infant Kong knelt in front of their corpses and wept for the parents he never knew, and from that day on used his rage to protect the other creatures of the island from malevolent monsters like the Skullcrawlers.


In ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', Kong is established as the last living member of his species, and still a growing adolescent. Kong's family was wiped out fending off malevolent creatures called [[Skullcrawler]]s that threatened all other life on the island. A painting inside the Iwis' temple to Kong depicts what appears to be Kong kneeling in front of the carcasses of his parents, suggesting that he witnessed their deaths. Kong's birth is shown in detail in the official tie-in comic ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]''. Kong's parents were the last two members of their kind on Skull Island, and when [[Kong's mother|his mother]] went into labor with him, they were attacked by a pack of giant Skullcrawlers. [[Kong's father]] fought the beasts off while his mate delivered their son, and hid the infant away inside a nearby cave. Kong's parents were both subsequently slaughtered by the Skullcrawlers in front of him, and died lying next to each other. The infant Kong knelt in front of their corpses and wept for the parents he never knew, and from that day on used his rage to protect the other creatures of the island from malevolent monsters like the Skullcrawlers.
{{Clear}}
==Incarnations==
These are incarnations of King Kong that have their own pages or subpages devoted to them.
<!---------*[[King Kong/1933|King Kong 1933]] ({{small|[[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]}})------->
*[[King Kong/1962|King Kong 1962]] ({{small|''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''}})
*[[King Kong/1967|King Kong 1967]] ({{small|''[[King Kong Escapes]]''}})
<!----------*[[Gorilla]] ({{small|''[[Go! Greenman]]''}})
*[[King Kong/De Laurentiis|De Laurentiis King Kong]] ({{small|[[King Kong (1976 film)|''King Kong'' (1976)]] and ''[[King Kong Lives]]''}})
*[[King Kong/The Mighty Kong|King Kong 1998]] ({{small|''[[The Mighty Kong]]''}})
*[[King Kong/2005|King Kong 2005]] ({{small|[[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'' (2005)]]}})--------->
*[[King Kong/Legendary|MonsterVerse King Kong]] ({{small|''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]''}})
==History==
==History==
===[[RKO Pictures|RKO Films]]===
*''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' (1933)
King Kong was created by Merian C. Cooper, who licensed the character and story to [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]]. RKO released the original ''King Kong'' film in 1933. Later that same year, RKO released ''[[Son of Kong]]'' as a sequel to the film. Though a cancelled film pitting Kong against a giant version of [[Frankenstein|Frankenstein's monster]] entitled ''[[King Kong vs. Prometheus]]'' was reportedly considered, King Kong did not appear in another film until 1962.
*''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' (1962)
*''[[The King Kong Show]]'' (TV 1966) [episodes 1-26]
*''[[King Kong Escapes]]'' (1967)
*''[[King Kong (1976 film)|King Kong]]'' (1976)
*''[[King Kong Lives]]'' (1986)
*''[[Adventure! Godzilland]]'' (TV 1992-1993) [drawing]
*''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]'' (1995) [photograph]
*''[[The Mighty Kong]]'' (1998)
*''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]'' (TV 2000-2001) [episodes 1-40]
*''[[Kong: King of Atlantis]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong: Return to the Jungle]]'' (2006)
*''[[Cloverfield]]'' (2008) [stock footage; still frame]
*''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]'' (TV 2016-2018) [episodes 1-13]
*''[[wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|The LEGO Batman Movie]]'' (2017)
*''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' (2017)
*''[[wikipedia:Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]'' (2018)
*''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'' (2019) [stock footage; cave painting]
*''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'' (2021)
*''[[wikipedia:Space Jam: A New Legacy|Space Jam: A New Legacy]]'' (2021)
*''[[Skull Island (series)|Skull Island]]'' (TV 2023) [episodes 3-5 and 7-8]
*''[[Monarch: Legacy of Monsters]]'' (TV 2023-2024) [episodes 1 and 10]
*''[[Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire]]'' (2024)
*''[[King Kong (series)|King Kong]]'' (TV TBA)
 
===[[RKO Pictures|RKO]] films===
The character of King Kong was conceived by [[Merian C. Cooper]], who licensed his idea to [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]]. RKO released ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'', directed by Cooper, in [[1933]]. The film was a huge success and would later become one of the most famous and influential motion pictures of all time. Its success led to RKO quickly greenlighting a sequel, ''[[Son of Kong]]'', which was made by much of the same filmmaking crew and released later the same year. This lower-budgeted sequel was not the success its predecessor was, and another film based on Kong would not be produced until almost three decades later.
====[[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]====
====[[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]====
[[File:King Kong 1933 Scene.jpg|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in [[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]]]King Kong was first discovered on [[Skull Island]] by an [[United States|America]]n film crew led by [[Carl Denham]]. The natives on the island kidnapped [[Ann Darrow]], the crew's leading lady, and sacrificed her to Kong, who carried Ann off into the jungles of the island. At one point, Kong left Ann on a tree and wandered off to deal with the rest of the film crew, who were pursuing him. As the crew attempted to cross a chasm on a crude log bridge, Kong lifted the log and twisted it, causing much of the crew to fall to their deaths in the abyss below. [[Jack Driscoll]] survived, and crossed the chasm to rescue Ann. Meanwhile, a [[Tyrannosaurus rex]] discovered Ann on the tree and attempted to eat her. Kong arrived and battled the T-Rex, and killed it by breaking its jaw. Kong took Ann to his home in a cave on a mountain, where he was attacked by a [[Elasmosaurus|giant cave serpent]]. Jack reached the cave and reunited with Ann, and the two managed to escape from Kong while he was distracted by a [[Pteranodon]]. Enraged, Kong followed the two to the native's village, tearing down the wall and wreaking havoc. Using a store of smoke bombs he brought on the voyage, Carl Denham and his crew managed to knock Kong unconscious and subdue him.
{{Main|King Kong (RKO)}}
[[File:Kong_vs._Airplane.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[King Kong (RKO)|King Kong]] confronts a [[Curtiss F8C Helldiver|biplane]] atop the [[Empire State Building]] in [[King Kong (1933 film)|''King Kong'' (1933)]]]]
King Kong was worshiped as a god-like figure by the natives of the remote [[Skull Island]], who were the remnants of a once-great civilization which once ruled the island and built the ruins inside their village and the huge wall surrounding it. To appease Kong, the natives would select a "bride" to sacrifice to him, performing a wedding ritual before tying her to a post just outside the wall where Kong would find and carry her off to the interior of the island. An [[United States|American]] film crew led by enterprising director [[Carl Denham]] eventually landed on the island to film his latest picture, catching the natives in the midst of a wedding ritual. Though the chief and witch doctor were initially angered by the intrusion, they were struck by the beauty of the crew's leading lady [[Ann Darrow]], believing she would make a perfect offering to Kong. When the crew refused, the natives used canoes to head to their docked ship, the ''[[Venture]]'', under cover of nightfall and abduct Ann. Ann was offered to Kong, who emerged from the jungle to claim his new bride. The ''Venture'' crew pursued the giant ape in an attempt to rescue Ann, but were forced to contend with the other monstrous prehistoric beasts inhabiting the island. Hearing the crew continuing to pursue him, Kong set Ann down in a tree before confronting them as they tried to cross a chasm on a falling log. Kong twisted the log and caused all of the crew members to fall to their deaths in the pit below, save for Denham and ''Venture'' first mate [[Jack Driscoll]]. A huge [[Meat-Eater|meat-eating dinosaur]] attempted to prey on Ann while Kong was away, but Kong returned just in time to fight the beast, killing it by breaking its jaws. Kong brought Ann to his mountain lair, where he was attacked by an ''[[Elasmosaurus]]'' and later a ''[[Pteranodon]]''. During Kong's battle with the latter creature, Jack rescued Ann and escaped with her back to the native village. After dispatching the pterosaur, Kong pursued the two to the village, tearing down the gate in a blind frenzy and rampaging through the village before being subdued by a gas bomb thrown by Denham. Denham brought Kong to [[New York City]] to be displayed on Broadway, but he escaped from his chrome steel bindings and escaped, tearing through the city before finding and abducting Ann once again. After destroying a train, Kong scaled the [[Empire State Building]], where he was met by a squadron of [[Curtiss F8C Helldiver]] biplanes. The planes' gunfire mortally wounded Kong, who fell from the building's summit to his death on the street below. As crowds gathered around Kong's bloodied carcass, Denham somberly remarked that "It was Beauty killed the Beast."


Denham brought Kong back to [[New York]] on board the crew's ship, the ''Venture'', intending to profit from showing Kong to the public. Denham arranged a show at a theater in New York, where he publicly showed the captured Kong to an audience, accompanied by Jack and Ann. When photographers began taking pictures of Ann, Kong believed they were attacking her and broke free from his chains, destroying the theater in a fit of rage. Ann, Jack, and Denham escaped unharmed, but Kong broke free from the theater into the streets, where he overturned cars, stomped on fleeing citizens, and destroyed a train. Kong began to scale buildings looking for Ann. He eventually found her in a hotel room that she fled to, and abducted her again. Finding himself pursued and attacked by police, Kong climbed the Empire State Building to escape. The military sent a fleet of biplanes armed with machine guns to stop Kong and save Ann. Atop the [[Empire State Building]], Kong swatted down and destroyed several of the planes, but was mortally wounded by machine gun fire. Kong set Ann down gently and fell off the building, plummeting to the streets below. As crowds gathered around Kong's dead body, a bystander remarked that the airplanes finally got Kong, to which Denham replied that "It was beauty killed the beast."
{{Clear}}
====''[[Son of Kong]]''====
====''[[Son of Kong]]''====
{{Main|Kiko}}
{{Main|Kiko}}
[[File:Kiko.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Kiko]] in ''[[Son of Kong]]'']]Only a matter of months after King Kong's rampage and subsequent death in New York, Carl Denham returned to Skull Island with another crew, where he encountered Kong's albino son, [[Kiko]]. Kiko protected Denham and Hilda, a stowaway on the ''Venture'', from various creatures on Skull Island, before drowning when an earthquake destroyed Skull Island.
[[File:Kiko.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Kiko]] in ''[[Son of Kong]]'']]
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Beset by lawsuits and facing criminal charges for the damage wrought by Kong, Denham fled New York City aboard the ''Venture'' once again with Captain [[Englehorn]] and the ship's loyal cook [[Charlie]]. Following a mutiny by the new crew, the trio ended up on Skull Island once again, accompanied by disgraced Captain [[Nils Helstrom]] and stowaway [[Hilda Petersen]]. There, they encountered Kong's friendly albino son [[Kiko]], rescuing him from a pit of quicksand. Grateful for Denham's help, Kiko defended him and Hilda from a [[Cave Bear|giant cave bear]] and a [[Dragon (Son of Kong)|dragon]] and helped them recover the island's hidden treasure. When an earthquake struck the island and caused it to begin sinking into the ocean, Kiko sacrificed his life to save Denham.
===[[Toho|Toho Films]]===
===[[Toho]] films===
In 1962, RKO licensed the character of King Kong to [[Toho]], who produced a crossover film featuring King Kong and [[Godzilla]]. Toho considered producing another King Kong film in 1966, ''[[Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah]]'', but replaced Kong with Godzilla and produced ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''. Toho then co-produced another King Kong movie, ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', with [[Rankin/Bass Productions]] the very next year. Toho's rights to King Kong expired shortly afterward, but they still used the character in their TV series ''[[Go! Greenman]]'' in 1974, under the name "Gorilla."
[[Willis O'Brien]], famed stop-motion animator on the original ''King Kong'', conceived of a story pitting Kong against a giant humanoid creature created from assembled African animal body parts and built by Dr. Frankenstein's grandson. O'Brien contacted independent producer [[John Beck]] to help him pitch the story to studios, with [[Japan]]ese studio [[Toho]] ultimately being interested. However, Toho preferred to replace the giant Frankenstein creature as Kong's foe with their own monster, [[Godzilla]], currently on hiatus following the release of ''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]'' in [[1955]]. Toho negotiated with RKO for the rights to Kong and produced ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' in [[1962]], though O'Brien was cut out of the deal completely and received no notice or compensation. The film was wildly successful both in Japan and abroad, inspiring the development of an animated series featuring Kong co-produced by [[Rankin/Bass]] and [[Toei|Toei Animation]]. Toho was contacted once again to produce a live action film adaptation of the cartoon, with its initial attempt tentatively titled ''[[Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah]]''. When Rankin/Bass rejected this story, it was repackaged as the ''[[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]]'' film ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'', with Toho instead producing the more faithful film ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'' in [[1967]]. Though Toho's rights to the character expired after the release of this film, it used the Kong suit created for the film as the monster [[Gorilla]] in the [[1974]] television series ''[[Go! Greenman]]''.
====''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''====
====''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''====
{{Main|King Kong/1962}}
{{Main|King Kong (King Kong vs. Godzilla)}}
[[File:Thump 251086315-king-kong.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[King Kong/1962|King Kong]] in ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'']]King Kong was discovered by an expedition to [[Faro Island]], which was sent there by [[Mr. Tako]], marketing executive for Pacific Pharmaceuticals, in order to find a legendary monster worshiped by the natives. The expedition only heard Kong's roar from the mountains, but saw the beast himself when he battled a [[Giant Octopus]] that attacked a village on the island. After chasing the octopus off, Kong began to drink jugs of the [[Farolacton]] berry juice that the natives had prepared, and fell asleep. The expedition members had Kong tied to a raft and taken back to [[Japan]] to be used as publicity for the company, but their boat was stopped by the Japanese Coast Guard, who informed Tako that he would be liable for any damage caused by King Kong in Japan. Suddenly, Kong began to stir and try to break free of the raft. The crew members opened fire on the dynamite attached to the raft, causing it to explode. Kong emerged from the water unharmed, and swam to the Japanese mainland. Kong rampaged along the coastline until he encountered [[Godzilla]] in the wilderness. Kong tossed a boulder at Godzilla, who responded with a blast of his thermonuclear breath, which singed Kong's fur and set much of the forest ablaze. Kong scratched his head and walked away in defeat.
[[File:King_Kong_vs._Godzilla_-_78_-_That_Pogoda_From_Like_Every_Showa_Film_Is_Destroyed.png|thumb|right|200px|[[King Kong (King Kong vs. Godzilla)|King Kong]] and [[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]] destroy [[Atami Castle]] during their battle in ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'']]
During his travels in the Solomon Islands, pharmacologist Dr. Makioka discovered a red narcotic berry called [[Farolacton]] on the remote [[Faro Island]]. Upon returning to his employers at the Pacific Pharmaceutical Company in [[Japan]], he also reported that the island's natives spoke of a "Giant Demon God." Advertising director [[Tako]] believed this mysterious god was a great way to generate publicity for the company and sent two Tokyo Television employees, [[Osamu Sakurai]] and Kinzaburo Furue, to the island to find it. The Giant Demon God, a huge ape known as King Kong, revealed himself when he burst through the wall separating the native village from the rest of the island to fend off an attacking [[Giant Octopus]]. After sending the huge cephalopod retreating back to the sea, Kong drank jars of the Farolacton juice and fell asleep to the sound of the islanders' [[The Giant Demon God|rhythmic prayer]]. Sakurai and Furue arranged for Kong to be transported to Japan aboard a raft, with Tako excitedly arriving on the ship towing it during Kong's transport. However, the Japan Coast Guard arrived and warned that the company was illegally smuggling Kong into Japanese waters and would be held liable for any damage he caused. Kong began to awaken, after which the dynamite wired to the raft was detonated. It failed to harm Kong, who immediately swam to Japan and came ashore. He ran amok until he encountered the recently-awakened [[Godzilla (Second Generation)|Godzilla]]. Kong threw boulders at his foe, who retaliated by firing his atomic breath at the surrounding forest. Burned by the radioactive flames, Kong retreated. Godzilla was eventually repelled from entering [[Tokyo]] by a barricade of high-tension wires carrying one million volts of electricity, but Kong arrived later and simply bit down on the power lines, drawing strength from the electrical current. Kong then rampaged through Tokyo, during which he abducted Sakurai's sister Fumiko and scaled the [[National Diet Building]]. Shells loaded with Farolacton juice were fired into the sky and detonated above Kong, accompanied by loudspeakers playing the Faro Islanders' chant. Kong collapsed and fell unconscious, with Fumiko being rescued from his clutches. The [[JSDF]] decided to airlift Kong to [[Mount Fuji]], where Godzilla had traveled, in order to stage a rematch between both [[kaiju]] in the hope they would kill each other. Kong was lifted by balloons pulled by several helicopters and dropped onto Godzilla. The two monsters resumed their battle, but Godzilla triumphed yet again, knocking Kong unconscious and setting the area around him ablaze. A passing overhead lightning storm revitalized Kong, who used his electrified punches to even the odds. Kong and Godzilla's clash reached [[Atami Castle]], and after the two beasts destroyed it they tackled each other into [[Sagami Bay]]. Moments later, Kong surfaced from the water and began swimming back to his island home, with Godzilla nowhere to be seen.


Later, Kong arrived in [[Tokyo]] and easily passed the electrical barrier that had been used to repel Godzilla earlier, actually drawing strength from the electrical currents. Kong smashed several buildings in his path and grabbed a train, and while looking inside was smitten with Fumiko Sakurai. Kong grabbed Fumiko and dropped the train, then climbed to the top of the [[National Diet Building]]. The [[JSDF]] surrounded the building and loaded rockets with the Soma berry juice while playing a recording of the Faro Islanders' chant, hoping to lull Kong back to sleep. After a few minutes, Kong fell unconscious and slid off the building, allowing the JSDF to rescue Fumiko. The JSDF then formed a desperate plan: bring Kong to [[Mount Fuji]] so he can fight Godzilla and the two monsters will destroy each other. Kong was tied to several large balloons with indestructible metal wire and carried to Mt. Fuji. Kong was dropped onto Godzilla, and the two titans resumed their battle. Godzilla again claimed the upper hand, eventually battering Kong into unconsciousness and razing him with his atomic breath. Luckily for Kong, a lightning storm passed over head and Kong was struck by lightning, re-energizing him and surging an electrical current through his body. Kong grabbed Godzilla's tail, electrocuting him with his touch, and the battle raged on, this time with both combatants on equal footing. The monsters fought across the Fuji wilderness until they reached a cliff, where they tackled each other into the ocean below, causing an earthquake. After the tremors settled, Kong emerged from the water, victorious, and began to swim back to his home on Faro Island.
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====''[[King Kong Escapes]]''====
====''[[King Kong Escapes]]''====
{{Main|King Kong/1967}}
{{Main|King Kong (King Kong Escapes)}}
[[File:King_Kong3.jpg|thumb|200px|[[King Kong/1967|King Kong]] in ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'']]King Kong was discovered on [[Mondo Island]] by a joint expedition of American and Japanese scientists, led by [[Carl Nelson]]. When [[Susan Watson]], a member of the expedition, was attacked by [[Gorosaurus]], Kong saved her and defeated Gorosaurus. Later, when the crew tried to leave Mondo in their submarine, they were attacked by a [[Giant Sea Serpent]]. Kong swam out to sea and fought off the snake, allowing the sub to escape safely. New of Kong's discovery alerted the evil [[Dr. Who]], who kidnapped Kong and placed him under mind control, forcing him to mine a radioactive element called Element X so that Who could sell it to the mysterious [[Madame Piranha]]. Nelson, Susan, and their other crew member [[Jiro Nomura]] arrived at Who's base in the North Pole and managed to free Kong, leading him back to [[Tokyo]]. Enraged, Who sent his robot version of Kong, [[Mechani-Kong]], to Tokyo to kill Kong. Mechani-Kong kidnapped Susan and climbed the [[Tokyo Tower]], and Kong pursued them. Kong rescued Susan and battled Mechani-Kong, and eventually managed to cause Mechani-Kong to fall from the tower and onto the street, destroying it. Kong then attacked Dr. Who's submarine in Tokyo Bay and destroyed it, killing Who and ending his evil plans. Kong then returned to Mondo Island to live in peace.
[[File:Mechani_Kong_vs._King_Kong.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[King Kong (King Kong Escapes)|King Kong]] battles [[Mechani-Kong]] in [[Tokyo]] in ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'']]
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A legendary giant ape held to inhabit [[Mondo Island]] in the Java Sea, Kong was the subject of study by [[United Nations]] Commander [[Carl Nelson]], who prepared several anatomical sketches of the mythical beast. International criminal [[Dr. Who]] stole Nelson's sketches and used them as blueprints for a robot built in Kong's image called [[Mechani-Kong]], designed to mine the radioactive Element X from the North Pole. Nelson, Lt. Commander [[Jiro Nomura]], and Lieutenant [[Susan Watson]] came ashore on Mondo Island after their research submarine ''[[Explorer (submarine)|Explorer]]'' was damaged in the nearby waters and had to anchor for repairs. When [[Gorosaurus]] menaced Susan, Kong came to her aid and slew the dinosaur monster by breaking his jaws. Kong became infatuated with Susan, saving her and her colleagues once again from a [[Giant Sea Serpent]] as they tried to return to the ''Explorer''. When Dr. Who learned of the real Kong's discovery, he decided to abduct him in order to mine Element X in place of his robot, which could not withstand the intense radiation. Who sent several Jet Helicopters to knock Kong unconscious and airlift him to his Arctic base, then captured Nelson, Nomura, and Susan in order to make them get Kong to cooperate. Kong escaped from Who's base and began swimming to [[Japan]], with Who pursuing him in his ship. Nelson and his allies arrived in [[Tokyo]] to warn the [[JSDF]] not to attack Kong, but Dr. Who deployed Mechani-Kong into the city to recapture him. When the robot could not defeat Kong in one-on-one combat, it abducted Susan and scaled the [[Tokyo Tower]]. Who threatened to drop Susan if Kong did not surrender, but he continued pursuing them up the tower. Kong caught Susan once the robot dropped her, then continued after his robotic double. [[Madame Piranha]], formerly Dr. Who's financial benefactor, turned on him and gave her life to disable the robot's controls, after which the top of the tower broke off and sent Mechani-Kong plummeting to its destruction on the streets below. Kong chased down Who's ship in [[Tokyo Bay]] and destroyed it, killing Who in the process, then began making his way home to Mondo Island.
====''[[Go! Greenman]]''====
 
[[File:Ike! Kong.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gorilla in ''[[Go! Greenman]]'']]King Kong, now called '''Gorilla''' {{Nihongo|ゴリラ|Gorira}} due to the rights of the character for use by Toho being lost, also appears in episode 38 of the series ''Go! Greenman'' titled ''[[Greenman vs. Gorilla]]''. In the episode, Gorilla was a creation of [[Tonchiki]], created for the sole purpose of retrieving the blood of children in order for [[Maoh]] to escape the [[Underground Cave]]. After being teleported to the surface world and attempting to kidnap a young boy, [[Greenman]] was signaled to [[Earth]] by the child, where he did battle with the monster. As Greenman and Gorilla fought, Tonchiki drew a ring around them, turning the fight into a sumo match. Eventually, Tonchiki cast a spell on Gorilla, causing him to grow to giant size. Luckily, Greenman also grew and Gorilla was eventually defeated. The King Kong suit used is from 1967's ''King Kong Escapes''. In the series, he was the thirty-ninth monster to battle [[Greenman]].
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===''[[The King Kong Show]]''===
===''[[The King Kong Show]]''===
[[File:King Kong in The King Kong Show.gif|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''[[The King Kong Show]]'']]In 1966, Rankin-Bass acquired the rights to King Kong and co-produced an anime series with Toei Animation called ''[[The King Kong Show]]''. This series featured Kong befriending a human family and protecting them from various monsters and villains. The success of the series led Rankin-Bass to approach [[Toho]], who produced ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' in 1962, and offer to co-produce a new King Kong movie with them. The resulting film, ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', borrowed several elements from ''The King Kong Show'', including the monster [[Mechani-Kong]], Kong's island home [[Mondo Island]], and the recurring human villain [[Dr. Who]].
[[File:King_Kong_in_The_King_Kong_Show.gif|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''[[The King Kong Show]]'']]
===[[Paramount Pictures|Paramount/De Laurentiis Films]]===
In [[1966]], [[Rankin/Bass]] acquired the rights to Kong from RKO and collaborated with Japanese animation studio [[Toei|Toei Animation]] to develop an animated TV series based on the character. The show, originally airing as just ''King Kong'' but widely known as ''[[The King Kong Show]]'', ran from 1966 to [[1967]], and formed the basis for Toho's 1967 film ''[[King Kong Escapes]]''. It followed the Bond family, who befriended Kong on his home of [[Mondo Island]] and worked with him to battle multiple monsters and villains who threatened both the island and the world at large.
In the early 1970's, [[Universal Pictures]], who owned King Kong's copyright in the United States, planned to produce a remake of the 1933 film entitled ''[[The Legend of King Kong]]''. However, Dino De Laurentiis and [[Paramount Pictures]] purchased the film rights to King Kong from RKO and produced a remake instead. Paramount's [[King Kong (1976 film)|1976 remake]] was a modest success, and ten years later De Laurentiis Entertainment Group produced a sequel entitled ''[[King Kong Lives]]'', which received very negative reviews.
===[[Dino De Laurentiis|De Laurentiis]] films===
====[[King Kong (1976 film)|''King Kong'' (1976)]]====
In the 1970s, RKO entered a contract with Italian-American movie producer [[Dino De Laurentiis]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] allowing them to produce and distribute a remake of the original ''King Kong'', a pivot from RKO's "no remakes" policy that had blocked studios such as Britain's Hammer Films from producing remakes of the film in the past. [[Universal Pictures]], who had previously handled the King Kong copyright on RKO's behalf, objected to this announcement, alleging that it already had secured the remake rights to ''King Kong'' through an oral agreement with RKO. All parties were brought to federal court to settle the matter, with both De Laurentiis and Universal fast-tracking their remakes into production in the hope of the other backing down. When the case was settled and the federal judge ruled that De Laurentiis had the right to proceed with its remake, Universal shelved ''[[The Legend of King Kong]]'', content with acquiring the character rights to Kong from [[Merian C. Cooper]]'s son Richard for future use. De Laurentiis' ''[[King Kong (1976 film)|King Kong]]'' was released theatrically by Paramount in late [[1976]], and despite mixed audience and critical reception was a financial success. De Laurentiis produced a much less successful sequel, ''[[King Kong Lives]]'', a decade later.
[[File:King Kong 1976.jpg|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in [[King Kong (1976 film)|''King Kong'' (1976)]]]]King Kong was discovered on a mysterious fog-blanketed island in the Indian Ocean by an expedition from the Petrox Oil Company. The head of the expedition, Fred Wilson, believed that the previously-uncharted island contained valuable oil reserves, but instead the expedition found that the island was inhabited by a tribe of natives who lived in a village protected by a giant wall, which separated them from a fearsome god they called "Kong." The natives kidnapped Dwan, a castaway that had been picked up by the expedition team's ship, and attempted to sacrifice her to Kong. Kong emerged from the jungle and grabbed Dwan, then immediately carried her back off to the jungle. Kong took Dwan to a waterfall and washed her underneath it, then blew on her to dry her. Dwan was surprised at how gentle Kong actually was, and began to no longer fear him. Meanwhile, Jack Prescott, a primate paleontologist who had stowed away onto the expedition's ship earlier, joined with several members of the crew to look for Kong. En route, they reached a giant fallen log that acted as a bridge over a deep chasm. Kong spotted the men as they crossed the log bridge and grabbed the bridge, twisting it until all of the men except Prescott and another named Boan fell to their deaths. Prescott decided to continue pursuing Kong on his own, and headed deeper into the jungle. Kong took Dwan to his lair and prepared to undress her, but found himself attacked by a [[Giant Boa|gigantic boa constrictor]]. Kong set Dwan down and battled the snake, just as Prescott caught up and found Dwan. The two escaped and headed back to the village, while Kong tore the giant boa's jaws apart and killed it. Kong followed Dwan and Prescott back to the village and broke through the wall. However, Wilson and the crew had sprung a trap, which Kong fell into. Kong was then smothered with chloroform and knocked unconscious. With no oil to bring back to New York after the oil deposits on the island were found to be worthless, Wilson decided to bring Kong back instead and use him as a publicity stunt. Kong was loaded into the cargo bay of the ship and fed with tons and tons of fruit. When Kong began to go berserk and smash against the wall of the cargo bay, Dwan fell into it, only for Kong to catch her. Dwan's presence calmed Kong, and he set her down then fell asleep for the remainder of the voyage.
====[[King Kong (1976 film)|''King Kong'' (1976)]] to ''[[King Kong Lives]]''====
{{Main|King Kong (De Laurentiis)}}
[[File:KK76 - Kong breaks free.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[King Kong (De Laurentiis)|King Kong]] frees himself from his bindings in [[King Kong (1976 film)|''King Kong'' (1976)]]]]
After satellite imaging revealed images of a [[Skull Island|previously-uncharted island]] hidden in a perpetual fog bank, ambitious Petrox executive Fred Wilson convinced the company's board to approve an expedition to the island to search for vast petroleum reserves he believed were hidden there. Princeton University primatologist Jack Prescott stowed away aboard the ''Petrox Explorer'', believing that the island was home to a gigantic undiscovered species of anthropoid spoken of only in legends and accounts by explorers. Along the voyage, the ''Explorer'' rescued a castaway named Dwan. Wilson, Prescott, Dwan, and much of the crew came ashore once they reached the island, discovering a native village in the shadow of a massive wall. Prescott believed that the natives were holding a sort of wedding ceremony, preparing to sacrifice a young woman to the mythical ape god on the other side of the wall. The priest presiding over the ceremony was angry at the outsiders for interrupting the ceremony, but upon seeing Dwan he attempted to bargain for her in order to sacrifice her to Kong instead. When the crew did not comply, the natives followed them back to the ''Explorer'' and abducted Dwan, drugging her and tying her to a post just outside the wall. The natives' god, a 50-foot ape called Kong, approached the wall and grabbed Dwan before slipping back into the jungle. While Dwan initially assumed Kong meant to eat her, she soon began to sympathize with him after it was clear he meant her no harm. Prescott led several of the crew members into the jungle in pursuit, but Kong cut them off at a log spanning a chasm, throwing the log into the pit below. Only Prescott and another crew member, Boan, survived, with Boan heading back to the village and Prescott continuing his pursuit. Prescott reached Kong's mountain lair, where the ape was attacked by a [[giant boa|colossal boa constrictor]]. Using this opportunity, Prescott retrieved Dwan and escaped back to the village. Filled with rage, Kong snapped the snake's jaws and chased them back to the village, where Wilson had set a trap. Once Kong broke through the gate, he fell into a pit filled with chloroform, rendering him unconscious. With the oil deposits on the island worthless, Wilson decided to bring Kong back to [[New York City]] as a publicity stunt for Petrox. Kong was kept in the cargo hold of an oil tanker and fed with tons of fruit. As the beast grew restless and began pounding on the walls of his prison, Dwan tried to calm him only to fall into the hold. Kong rescued her and let her climb back above deck. While Kong was being exhibited in New York, he became furious as he saw photographers aggressively taking pictures of Dwan. He broke free of his steel restraints and began to rampage, trampling several fleeing people in the crowd, including Wilson. Jack rescued Dwan and the two tried to escape to Manhattan, but Kong swam across the Hudson River and abducted Dwan from a bar. Noticing the resemblance between the Twin Towers of the [[World Trade Center]] and Kong's mountain lair, Prescott advised the military to let Kong climb them where he could be safely caught by helicopters carrying metal nets. The military followed his advice, but had no intention of capturing Kong alive. Once Kong reached the top of the South Tower, he was attacked by a group of flamethrower-wielding soldiers. He leapt to the North Tower and threw a fuel tank at the soldiers, which exploded and killed them. The military next sent in a detachment of [[UH-1 Iroquois]] choppers armed with machine guns. Dwan begged Kong not to set her down or else they would kill him, but he opted to keep her out of harm's way and put her down. The choppers opened fire, riddling Kong with bullets and causing him to bleed profusely. Despite taking down two choppers, Kong finally succumbed to his wounds and fell off of the North Tower into the plaza below. Dwan made her way to Kong, then wept as his heart stopped beating.


When the expedition returned to New York, Wilson arranged a grand exposition for Kong to promote his company. He imprisoned Kong in a giant metal cage, and placed a giant crown on his head. When Kong was mobbed by hordes of media reporters taking pictures, he became enraged and tore through the metal bars restraining him. Wilson tried to run away but was stepped on and killed by Kong. Kong rampaged through the city, destroying cars, stomping on fleeing citizens, and even destroying a train. Prescott and Dwan escaped over the Queensboro Bridge, expecting that Kong would not be able to swim across the East River. However, Kong merely waded across the river in pursuit of Dwan. Kong found Dwan in an abandoned bar and carried her off. Kong noticed the [[World Trade Center]] in the distance, and it reminded him of his lair back on his island. Kong climbed the South Tower with Dwan, while the military pursued him. When Kong reached the top of the tower, he was attacked by a group of soldiers wielding flamethrowers. Kong jumped across the two towers and landed on the North Tower. Out of options, the military sent helicopters armed with machine guns to take Kong down. Kong set Dwan down and swatted at the helicopters, but was mercilessly blasted by machine gun bullets, causing him to bleed profusely. After destroying two choppers, Kong succumbed to his injuries and fell from the tower, plummeting onto the World Trade Center plaza. As crowds of reporters and spectators gathered around Kong, Dwan approached him and looked at him tearfully just as his heart stopped beating.
[[File:Kong_and_Lady_Kong.jpg|thumb|right|200px|King Kong with [[Lady Kong]] in ''[[King Kong Lives]]'']]
====''[[King Kong Lives]]''====
Placed into a coma by his fall rather than killed, Kong was sent to the Atlantic Institute and cared for by Dr. Amy Franklin for a period of 10 years. The institute planned to revive Kong by transplanting a mechanical heart into his body, but Dr. Franklin warned that he would need a large infusion of blood from a compatible donor to survive the procedure. Fortunately, explorer Hank Mitchell discovered a female member of [[Kong's species]] in Borneo, which was brought to the [[United States]] and dubbed [[Lady Kong]]. Using a blood donation from the female, Dr. Franklin was able to complete Kong's surgery and successfully revive him. However, Kong heard the cries of the captured Lady Kong and broke out of the institute to rescue her. The two giant apes escaped into the wilderness together, where they mated. The Army sent in Lt. Col. Archie Nevitt to find both apes, seemingly killing Kong and capturing his mate. Franklin and Mitchell later learned that not only was Lady Kong pregnant with Kong's child, but that Kong had survived the attack, though his artificial heart was now failing. They freed Lady Kong from her holding cell, and she made her way to a barn and went into labor. Nevitt stationed infantry and tanks to meet Kong when he arrived, and after a grueling battle Kong managed to destroy the Army's forces and kill Nevitt. With the failure of his heart accelerated by the wounds he sustained, Kong collapsed next to his mate just after she gave birth. Lady Kong showed Kong their [[Baby Kong|infant son]], causing Kong to smile proudly before finally dying peacefully, content that his family was safe. Lady Kong and her son were then transported back to Borneo to live in peace together.
[[File:King Kong 1986.jpg|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''[[King Kong Lives]]'']]After being shot off of the World Trade Center in 1976, King Kong was not actually killed, but placed into a coma. Kong was taken to the Atlantic Institute and kept alive but comatose for a decade. Dr, Amy Franklin, the surgeon in charge of Kong, found a way to fully revive Kong by giving him an artificial heart. However, Kong had lost so much blood that he required a blood transfusion for the procedure to work. Thankfully, a female member of Kong's species dubbed "[[Lady Kong]]" was discovered in Borneo by Hank Mitchell and brought back to the Atlantic Institute to provide blood for Kong. The transplant was a success, and Kong was revived. However, Kong and Lady Kong mated while in captivity at the Institute, and escaped together. The United States army relentlessly pursued both apes, and tracked them down in the wilderness. Kong fell from a cliff and presumably died in the resulting battle, and Lady Kong was captured and taken to a military base. At the base, it was discovered that Lady Kong was pregnant with Kong's child. Meanwhile, Kong survived the fall and rampaged through the countryside in search of Lady Kong, although his artificial heart was slowly failing. As Lady Kong went into labor, King Kong arrived near the military base and was attacked by the military. Kong was gruesomely wounded in the battle, but managed to destroy the military's forces and kill the insane army colonel who tried to kill him and his mate. Kong entered the base and collapsed in front of Lady Kong, who had just given birth to their son, [[Baby Kong]]. Gravely injured and with his heart about to shut down, Kong smiled as he looked at his newborn child before finally dying. Following Kong's death, Lady Kong and Baby Kong were transported back to Borneo to live in peace together.
===''[[The Mighty Kong]]''===
===''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]''===
Utilizing the public domain status of the [[King Kong (1932 novelization)|1932 novelization]] of the original ''King Kong'', multiple studios co-produced an animated musical adaptation of the story in [[1998]]. While primarily an adaptation of the novelization's story, it incorporates some elements from the 1976 remake as well, and features a more lighthearted ending than previous adaptations.
[[File:KTAS Kong.png|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]'']]While Universal decided to postpone production on their King Kong film in the late 1990's, BKN International produced an animated series starring Kong to capitalize on the success of [[TriStar Pictures]]'s ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'' in [[2000]]. ''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]'' was moderately successful, featuring 40 episodes and two spin-off direct-to-DVD films released after its cancellation. The series features a clone of the original King Kong, made from his DNA after he fell to his death from the Empire State Building in 1933. In the present day, Kong resides on [[Kong Island]], where he is cared for by the scientist who cloned him, Dr. Lorna Jenkins. When a mad scientist, Professor Ramone De La Porta, attempts to use the magical Primal Stones located on the island to unleash the demon Chiros, Kong must join forces with Dr. Jenkins' grandson Jason, his friend Eric, and the native girl [[Lua]] to reclaim the Primal Stones and battle Chiros' forces.
 
===[[Universal Pictures|Universal Films]]===
Filmmaker [[Carl Denham|C.B. Denham]] organized a voyage to the mysterious [[Skull Island]] aboard the ''Java Queen'' in order to film his next picture on location. When the ship arrived, the local native tribe abducted leading lady [[Ann Darrow]] in order to sacrifice her to their god, the giant ape known as Kong. First mate [[Jack Driscoll]] led several of the crew members into the jungle to rescue Ann, encountering a host of prehistoric beasts. Ann began to sympathize with Kong after realizing he was actually gentle and friendly and meant her no harm. After Kong protected Ann from a ''[[Tyrannosaurus rex]]'', several ''[[Pteranodon]]''s, and a giant snake, Driscoll rescued her and escaped back to the native village. When Kong gave chase, Denham used gas bombs to knock Kong unconscious, intending to bring him back to [[New York City]] as his next production. Kong escaped while being exhibited on Broadway, grabbing Ann once again and climbing to the top of the [[Empire State Building]]. Denham proposed capturing Kong with a giant net held between two blimps, but his weight caused the net to tear, sending him falling to the street below. However, Kong managed to survive the fall, with Denham planning to relocate him to a new island where he could live in peace.
In 1976, a federal judge ruled that the character and film rights to King Kong (aside from the 1933 film, which belonged to RKO, and the 1976 film and its sequel, which belonged to De Laurentiis and Paramount) belonged to Merian C. Cooper's estate, and the majority of the rights to King Kong reverted to Cooper's son, Richard. Cooper almost immediately sold all of his rights to Universal Pictures, who retains them to this day. Universal considered producing their own remake of the 1933 film in the late 1990's, but the releases of a remake of ''Mighty Joe Young'' and ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|GODZILLA]]'' in 1998 caused them to postpone it. Universal finally produced [[King Kong (2005 film)|a remake]] in 2005, which was financially and critically successful. In 2014, Universal entered a legal partnership with [[Legendary Pictures]], and the two companies began production a new film, ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', set for a 2017 release, however in 2015 Legendary moved the production from Universal to its previous partner, [[Warner Bros.]]
===BKN International productions===
With [[Universal Pictures]]' planned ''King Kong'' remake on indefinite hold and ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'' airing on television in the late 1990s, BKN International capitalized on demand for a new adaptation of Kong and produced ''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]'' from [[2000]] to [[2001]]. The series follows a clone of Kong created by Dr. Lorna Jenkins after his death in [[New York City]]. The cloned Kong, working together with Lorna's grandson [[Jason Jenkins|Jason]] and his friends, fights to prevent the evil Dr. [[Ramone De La Porta]] from acquiring the [[Primal Stones]] of Kong Island and using them to conquer the world. The show ran for a total of 40 episodes over two seasons. With Universal's ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' set for release in [[2005]], BKN capitalized by reuniting the cast and crew for a direct-to-video film based on the TV series titled ''[[Kong: King of Atlantis]]''. A second direct-to-video film, ''[[Kong: Return to the Jungle]]'', was released the following year around the same time as the extended cut of Peter Jackson's ''King Kong''.
====''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]'' to ''[[Kong: Return to the Jungle]]''====
Decades after Kong fell to his death from the [[Empire State Building]], Dr. Lorna Jenkins recovered a sample of his DNA and used it to create a clone of him. The clone was relocated to the original Kong's home of Kong Island in order to defend it and the legendary [[Primal Stones]] it housed. Kong joined forces with Lorna's grandson [[Jason Jenkins|Jason]], his friend [[Eric Tannenbaum IV]], and the native girl [[Lua]] to stop the mad scientist Dr. [[Ramone De La Porta]] from recovering the Primal Stones and using them to awaken the legendary demon known as [[Chiros]].
===[[Universal Pictures|Universal]] film===
Universal planned to produce a remake of the original ''King Kong'' titled ''[[The Legend of King Kong]]'' in the 1970s, going so far as to bring [[RKO Pictures]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] to court over the remake rights to the original film. Though a federal judge ruled that [[Dino De Laurentiis]]' remake could proceed, RKO lost any ownership of the King Kong character, which reverted to the estate of his original creator, [[Merian C. Cooper]]. Cooper's son Richard sold most of his rights to Universal, who waited until the late 1990s to begin development on a new ''King Kong'' remake. The studio approached Peter Jackson to direct and write the film in [[1996]], but this [[King Kong (1996 film)|initial attempt]] was abruptly canceled the next year. Universal later reapproached Jackson while he was directing the highly successful ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy and offered him the chance to direct ''King Kong'' again. This attempt materialized in the [[2005]] film ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]''. While Universal had considered a sequel to the film titled ''Skull Island'' at one point, any plans were abandoned once Kong was extensively incorporated into [[Legendary Pictures]]' [[Monsterverse]].
====[[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'' (2005)]]====
====[[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'' (2005)]]====
[[File:King Kong 2005.jpg|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in [[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'' (2005)]]]]King Kong, possibly the last living member of a species of gigantic ape called ''Megaprimatus kong'', was living on [[Skull Island]] in 1933, when a film crew led by [[Carl Denham]] arrived on a ship called the ''Venture'' to shoot a film. The natives of the island did not take kindly to the film crew's presence, and attacked them when they set foot on the island, killing two members of the expedition. The crew returned to the ''Venture'' and remained on board, debating whether or not to return to the island and continue shooting. At night, the natives pole-vaulted to get onto the ''Venture'' and kidnapped [[Ann Darrow]], the leading lady. They brought her back to their village on the island and attempted to sacrifice her to their god, Kong. Kong soon emerged from the jungle and grabbed the terrified Ann, then took her away into the jungle. The film crew ran onto the island to rescue Ann, and followed Kong into the jungle. Kong took Ann to his lair, where she saw the remains of several of Kong's previous sacrifices along the way. Ann tried to get free, but to no avail. Ann tried to distract Kong by dancing, which caused Kong to laugh. When Ann became tired and refused to perform anymore, Kong stormed off angrily. Kong then encountered the search party crossing a log bridge spanning a ravine. Kong grabbed the bridge and twisted it, sending the party falling into the chasm below, where most of them were killed by gigantic insects. [[Jack Driscoll]] managed to escape from the pit and climb to the other side of the ravine, then continued pursuing Kong.
{{Main|King Kong (Universal)}}
[[File:King-kong.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[King Kong (Universal)|King Kong]] prepares to battle a ''[[Vastatosaurus rex]]'' in order to protect [[Ann Darrow]] in [[King Kong (2005 film)|''King Kong'' (2005)]]]]
In [[1933]], struggling film director [[Carl Denham]] organized an expedition to the uncharted [[Skull Island]] aboard the ''[[Venture]]'' in order to film his next picture. When the ship arrived on the island, Denham and several of the crew members came ashore and found the ruins of a once great civilization, now inhabited by a derelict tribe. The natives savagely attacked the crew, who managed to escape through the use of firearms. However, the natives made their way to the anchored ''Venture'' and abducted leading lady [[Ann Darrow]], bringing her back to the village to sacrifice her to their god: the giant ape known as Kong. Kong accepted the offering and carried Ann into the jungle. When the ''Venture'' crew tried to pursue Kong, he intercepted them as they tried to cross a log bridge spanning a chasm, sending them all falling into the pit below, where they were beset by the creatures dwelling there. Ann tried to escape from Kong while he was distracted, but was menaced by a family of ''[[Vastatosaurus rex]]''es. Kong came to her rescue and slew all three dinosaurs, earning Ann's trust and admiration. Screenwriter [[Jack Driscoll]], having survived the pit, continued his pursuit of Ann and reached Kong's mountain lair. Jack escaped with Ann while Kong battled a swarm of ''[[Terapusmordax]]'' and brought her back to the native village. Kong followed them and broke through the village's wall and through a sea cave before being subdued and knocked unconscious by the ''Venture'' crew. Denham had Kong brought back to [[New York City]] to be exhibited on Broadway, but the enraged giant ape escaped his bonds and began rampaging through Manhattan. In order to calm the beast, Ann approached Kong and allowed herself to be taken by him again. The military attacked Kong with artillery in Central Park, leading him to escape by climbing the [[Empire State Building]]. [[Curtiss F8C Helldiver|Biplanes]] were sent to engage Kong, and riddled him with machine gun fire until he was mortally wounded and plummeted to his death in the streets below. As crowds gathered around Kong's carcass, Denham somberly remarked "It was Beauty killed the Beast."


While Kong was gone, Ann tried to run away but found herself being pursued by a Foetodon, a giant crocodilian-like reptile. Ann ran from it, only to witness the Foetodon being eaten by a Vastatosaurus Rex, the modern descendant of the tyrannosaurus. The V-Rex then chased Ann and was joined by another member of its kind. Kong arrived just in time and tried to fight the V-Rexes off. A third V-Rex entered the battle and the odds were turned against Kong. Kong killed one of the V-Rexes, but the other two continued relentlessly attacking him and Ann. Eventually, Kong and the two remaining V-Rexes fell over a cliff and into a thick layer of vines. Kong grappled with the V-Rexes, causing one to become entangled and trapped in the vines.  Ann and one of the V-Rexes fell from the vines to the ground while Kong finished off the other one. Kong fought with the V-Rex once again, and this time gained the upper hand. Kong restrained the V-Rex and pried its jaws apart until they snapped, killing it. Ann, grateful for Kong saving her life, allowed herself to be taken by Kong back to his mountain lair. Kong set Ann down in his lair and sat on a ledge overlooking the sunset. Ann approached Kong and tried to communicate with him using sign language. Jack arrived in Kong's lair and found Ann. Kong then awoke from his slumber and angrily attacked Jack. Suddenly, they were attacked by a swarm of [[Terapusmordax]], giant bats. As Kong fought the bats off, Jack and Ann began rappelling down a vine to escape but Kong noticed and tried to grab them. Ann and Jack jumped from the vine into the water below. Enraged, Kong stormed off from his lair and gave chase. Jack and Ann retreated to the village, where Carl and the remaining members of the expedition were waiting. Kong arrived and broke down the wall. The crew used chloroform bombs to subdue Kong, knocking him unconscious on the shore. Denham decided to bring Kong back to New York and display him as "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
Kong was taken back to New York on board the ''Venture'', and was placed in chrome steel chains and put on display inside a Broadway theater. As the crowds were stunned by Kong and photographers aggressively took pictures of him, Kong became agitated. He broke free from his chains and grabbed the actress pretending to be Ann. Realizing she was a fake, he tossed her aside and tore through the theater, eventually emerging out into the streets of New York. Kong overturned cars and smashed lampposts in rage, searching for Ann. Witnessing the destruction Kong was causing because of her, Ann walked into the open near Kong and allowed him to pick her up again. Kong calmed down and took Ann to Central Park, where he slid on a frozen lake. As Kong began to regain his footing, he was thrown forward when a tank shell blasted the ice. With the military pursuing him, Kong fled to the Empire State Building and climbed it. After reaching the top of the building, Kong sat and looked out over the sunrise. He looked at Ann and made the sign for "beautiful," showing that he understood and remembered the sign she showed him earlier. The peace was interrupted when a group of biplanes armed with machine guns flew near the building and opened fire on Kong. Kong set Ann down and roared defiantly at the planes. He swatted at them and managed to destroy some of them. Unfortunately for Kong, the gunfire was too much and he began to succumb to his wounds. Kong slumped over the top of the tower and looked at Ann sorrowfully, then slid off of the building and plummeted to his death in the streets below. As crowds gathered around Kong's colossal corpse, someone remarked that the airplanes got Kong. Carl Denham sorrowfully said that it wasn't the airplanes, as "It was beauty killed the beast."
===''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]''===
===''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]''===
[[File:KongKOTA.png|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]'']]In [[2016]], 41 Entertainment and Arad Animation co-produced a Netflix-exclusive animated series starring King Kong. The series revolves around Kong battling [[Richard Remy|a mad scientist]]'s army of robotic dinosaurs in the year [[2050]].
[[File:KongKOTA.png|thumb|left|200px|Kong in ''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]'']]
The infant Kong, who, at the time of his discovery, was thought to be the last great ape alive in the wild, was taken from his home by poachers and was able to use his abnormal strength to escape their helicopter and find his way into the California Redwood forests where he was discovered by [[Lukas Remy]], who treated Kong like a brother. The two were later framed for terrorism by Lucas' brother [[Richard Remy]] who pursued them throughout the show until they are all forced down a volcano into a more traditional Kong setting full of dinosaurs and large insects in the [[Missing|season finale]].
In [[2016]], 41 Entertainment and Arad Animation co-produced a CG animated TV series featuring Kong titled ''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]'', which streamed exclusively on [[Netflix]].
{{Clear}}


===''[[wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|The LEGO Batman Movie]]''===
The infant Kong, who, at the time of his discovery, was thought to be the last great ape alive in the wild, was taken from his home by poachers and was able to use his abnormal strength to escape their helicopter and find his way into the California redwood forests where he was discovered by [[Lukas Remy]], who treated Kong like a brother. The two were later framed for terrorism by Lucas' brother [[Richard Remy]], a mad scientist responsible for creating an army of robotic dinosaurs called [[Biono-bot]]s. Kong worked together with Lukas and his friends to battle the various Biono-bots and thwart Richard's schemes.
King Kong was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone along with other notorious villains of the LEGO multiverse. He was one of the villains freed by the Joker as part of his plan to enact revenge on Batman and destroy Gotham City. Kong was defeated when Robin crashed the Batmobile into his face, knocking him unconscious.
===[[MonsterVerse]]===
{{Main|King Kong/Legendary}}
In 2014, [[Legendary Pictures]] entered a distribution partnership with [[Universal Pictures|Universal]]. One of the films they announced as part of this partnership was ''Skull Island'', a King Kong origin story, set for release on November 4, 2016. It was later retitled ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' and pushed back to March 10, 2017. Legendary ultimately moved the production to its previous partner, [[Warner Bros.]], to enable a remake of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''. Legendary announced ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'' for a [[2020]] release, a year after [[Godzilla: King of the Monsters|the sequel]] to Legendary's ''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]''.
====''[[Kong: Skull Island]]''====
[[File:Legendary Kong.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[King Kong/Legendary|King Kong]] in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'']]
After crash-landing on [[Skull Island]] in [[1944]], [[United States|American]] fighter pilot [[Hank Marlow]] and [[Japan]]ese pilot Gunpei Ikari engaged in a fight to the death. After Ikari gained the upper hand and prepared to fatally stab Marlow with a dagger, Kong appeared over a cliff, leading the two shocked men to end their struggle.


In [[1973]], the scientific organization [[Monarch]] organized an expedition to Skull Island, escorted by the Sky Devils helicopter squadron led by [[Preston Packard|Lt. Colonel Preston Packard]]. One the [[UH-1 Iroquois|helicopters]] carrying the expedition members cleared the storm cell surrounding the island and began flying over land, they immediately began dropping seismic charges onto the ground below, allegedly to map the island. The explosions drew out Kong, who responded by throwing a tree through one of the choppers. The remaining choppers formed a perimeter around Kong and opened fire on him. The bullets did little more than irritate Kong, who proceeded to rip the helicopters out of the sky and smash them. After downing all of the choppers, Kong wandered back off into the jungle. Kong eventually reached a river, where he noticed the wounds he had sustained from the choppers' rotor blades. Kong winced in pain briefly before beginning to drink from the lake. Suddenly, Kong realized that a [[Mire Squid]] was in the water and grabbed one of the creature's tentacles. The Mire Squid then attacked Kong with all of its tentacles, trying to strangle him to death. Kong was able to crush the creature's head under his foot and kill it, then proceeded to eat several of its tentacles. Kong then grabbed the squid's carcass and dragged it away, presumably back to his lair.
===[[Monsterverse]]===
In [[2014]], [[Legendary Pictures]] entered a distribution deal with [[Universal Pictures|Universal]] after concluding its previous deal with [[Warner Bros.]] One of the first projects they announced was an origin story for King Kong titled ''Skull Island'' and set for release in [[2016]]. Following the success of Legendary's ''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]'' in 2014, Legendary decided to retool the Kong film, retitled ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', to take place within the same universe as that film and enable a future rematch between Godzilla and Kong. For this reason, the project switched distributors from Universal to Warner Bros., and was released in [[2017]]. ''Kong: Skull Island'' became the second entry in a cinematic universe officially dubbed the [[Monsterverse]], with Kong returning in the crossover film ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'' in 2021. The animated series ''[[Skull Island (series)|Skull Island]]'', focusing on Kong, premiered on [[Netflix]] in [[2023]]. A fifth film in the Monsterverse, ''[[Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire]]'', is currently in post-production. Outside of Kong's film appearances, he appears in two comics set in the Monsterverse as well: ''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Kong]]''.
====''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' to ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]''====
{{Main|King Kong (Monsterverse)}}
[[File:Condensed histories - KSI.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[King Kong (Monsterverse)|Kong]] battles the [[Skullcrawler|Skull Devil]] in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'']]
Many thousands of years ago, [[Kong's species]] were a race of [[Titan]]s who inhabited the [[Hollow Earth]] and lived alongside [[human]]s in a great civilization. They eventually went to war with [[Godzilla (Monsterverse)|Godzilla]] and his kind, ultimately being driven from their home and forced to relocate to [[Skull Island]]. There, they found a new enemy in the vicious [[Skullcrawler]]s, who whittled their numbers down over centuries of conflict. By the time the [[Iwi]], remnants of the human civilization which once inhabited the Hollow Earth, arrived on Skull Island, only a single mated pair of Kongs remained. [[Kong's mother|The female]] was pregnant, and went into labor as she and [[Kong's father|her mate]] were beset by a pack of Skullcrawlers. The male defended the female long enough for her to deliver their son, Kong. Knowing her demise was imminent, Kong's mother sealed her son in a cave, where he could only watch helplessly as the Skullcrawlers slaughtered his parents, who died clasping their hands together. When the battle was over, the newborn Kong crawled from his sanctuary and knelt next to the bodies of the parents he never knew, weeping. From that day, Kong vowed to avenge his parents and honor their memory by defending the other denizens of the island from the Skullcrawlers and the other more malevolent creatures inhabiting it. In [[1944]], World War II fighter pilots [[Hank Marlow]] and Gunpei Ikari shot each other down over Skull Island and resumed their duel, only to be interrupted by the appearance of Kong. They were welcomed by the Iwi, who lived under Kong's protection, and became close friends, until a Skullcrawler killed Gunpei. In [[1973]], the Titan-hunting scientific organization [[Monarch]] sent an expedition to Skull Island to test [[Bill Randa]]'s theory that it was an emergence point for the Hollow Earth Titan ecosystem. Recognizing that the expedition's seismic charges would draw more Skullcrawlers to the surface, Kong brought down their helicopter transport and stranded them on the island. Colonel [[Preston Packard]], leader of the Army helicopter squadron transporting the expedition, became obsessed with avenging his fallen comrades by killing Kong. Some of the survivors encountered Marlow and the Iwi, and learned of Kong's true purpose and benevolent nature. They interfered with the deranged Packard's attempt to kill Kong using an explosive trap, but the colossal 95-foot Skullcrawler known as the Skull Devil soon appeared to take advantage of Kong's weakened state. Kong killed Packard before the Skull Devil attacked him, but the creature's attention was drawn by the fleeing humans. As the humans tried to escape the island via an extraction point on the north side, the Skull Devil menaced them before Kong arrived to save them. When the Skull Devil overpowered Kong, the humans drew its attention so that Kong could recover. Using an improvised mace created by an anchor chain tied to a ship propeller, Kong turned the tide against his mortal enemy, eventually killing it by tearing out its innards. The humans escaped, keeping the experience a secret to everyone but members of Monarch.


After meeting Marlow, some of the surviving expedition members were brought back to the village of the island's indigenous tribe, the Iwis. There, Marlow explained that Kong was perceived as a god by the islanders, and generally acted as a guardian on the island that kept the most dangerous creatures there under control. He stated that the reason Kong attacked the helicopters was because the seismic charges they dropped had drawn creatures he called [[Skullcrawler]]s to the surface. According to Marlow, Skullcrawlers were the most vicious and dangerous animals on the island, and were responsible for killing Kong's family. At this time, Kong was being attacked by two Skullcrawlers, but was able to easily dispatch the two smaller creatures. One of the expedition members, [[Mason Weaver]], found a [[Sker Buffalo]] pinned underneath a downed helicopter and tried to free it, only for Kong to arrive and free the buffalo himself. Kong gave Weaver an indifferent glance and simply wandered off.
In [[1995]], [[Aaron Brooks]], son of two of the 1973 Monarch expedition members, organized an off-the-books return mission to Skull Island to evaluate the security of the ecosystem, believing Kong could not be trusted to keep it in check. This expedition too became stranded after a [[Psychovulture]] attack, but Kong rescued them from a pack of [[Death Jackal]]s. The team was taken in by the Iwi, who educated them about Kong's purpose and past. One of the expedition members, [[Walter R. Riccio]], was driven insane by consuming the Iwi's [[Monkey juice|ceremonial hallucinogenic brew]] and used remaining seismic charges from 1973 to blow open the wall of the Iwi village, allowing several [[Mother Longlegs]] to enter. Kong came to the rescue and swiftly dispatched the giant arachnids, then killed Riccio after determining he was responsible for their incursion. Brooks, by now the only surviving expedition member, accepted Kong's role as protector and decided to stay among the Iwi and help them rebuild after the attack.


After surviving an encounter with a Skull Crawler and several [[Leafwing]]s, Weaver and [[James Conrad]] stood atop a cliff and looked out over the island, only to witness Kong approach them. To their surprise, Kong did not seem violent or aggressive at all, and even allowed Weaver to place her hand on his face. Suddenly, explosions appeared over the distance, and Kong immediately raced toward them. Weaver and Conrad knew that Packard and his men were setting a trap for Kong, intending to kill him. The two of them, joined by Marlow, rushed to the scene to try and save Kong. When Kong arrived at the scene of the explosions, he saw Packard and his men in the distance. As Kong crossed a lake to reach them, Packard ignited the napalm he had dumped into the water, causing the entire lake to erupt into flames. Kong swung his arm angrily at the water, causing the flaming napalm to hit some of the soldiers, before collapsing onto the ground. Packard placed leftover seismic charges around Kong, preparing to finish him, but Weaver, Conrad and Marlow arrived and aimed their guns at him, demanding for him to stop. Packard refused, and was prepared to detonate the charges and blow them all sky high, when suddenly a gigantic Skullcrawler erupted from the lake. Everyone except Packard fled, while Kong regained consciousness and promptly smashed Packard under his fist. The Skullcrawler attacked Kong, and the humans were forced to leave the giant ape to his fate.
By [[2019]], Monarch had formally established a research station, Outpost 33, on Skull Island to monitor Kong. When the ecoterrorist [[Alan Jonah]] and rogue Monarch operative [[Emma Russell]] unleashed the dreaded [[King Ghidorah (Monsterverse)|King Ghidorah]] from his [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] prison in an ill-advised attempt to reawaken all Titans and restore the natural order, the three-headed alien Titan emitted an alpha call that reached the ears of every living Titan on [[Earth]], awake or dormant. Kong rejected Ghidorah's summons to join his reign of terror, one of only three known Titans to oppose it. However, Ghidorah's call awakened the Skullcrawlers still dormant under the island's surface, forcing Kong to battle them. While Kong triumphed, a powerful storm that Ghidorah had generated over the ocean began approaching Skull Island. By [[2021]], Aaron Brooks' father Dr. [[Houston Brooks]] was leading efforts on Skull Island to lead an expedition into the Hollow Earth through a entrance on the island dubbed the "vile vortex." The storm generated by Ghidorah eventually merged with the perpetual storm cell surrounding the island, creating an uncontrollable superstorm that plunged the island into permanent darkness. This turned out to be the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy; with the island blanketed in darkness, the evil bat-like Titan known as [[Camazotz]] flew from the Hollow Earth with his [[List of Monsterverse monsters#Hell swarm|hell swarm]] in a bid to kill Kong and usurp his position as an alpha Titan. Kong was forced into battle with Camazotz, but was outmatched until a squadron of G-Team fighter pilots intervened. With their help, Kong overpowered Camazotz and banished him back to the dark recesses of the Hollow Earth from whence he came. With the storm unrelenting, Monarch evacuated any of the Iwi as it could, though many refused to leave the island and promptly vanished.


The following morning, as the surviving expedition members neared the extraction point on the north side of the island, they were confronted by the giant Skullcrawler. Fortunately, Kong arrived and smashed the monster in the face with a boulder. Kong engaged in battle with the Skullcrawler, buying time for the humans to get to safety. The weakened Kong simply was not a match for the Skullcrawler, and was knocked into an old shipwreck and entangled in its anchor chain. Weaver had managed to reach a vantage point and fired a flare into the Skullcrawler's eye, enraging it and causing it to destroy the cliff and send Weaver falling into the water below. Kong finally broke free of the chain, and managed to create a makeshift flail when it became entangled with the ship's propeller. Kong swung the flail at the Skullcrawler, embedding the propeller into its back. Kong pulled the propeller out and sliced the creature across its throat, seemingly killing it. Kong then pulled Weaver out of the water and took a second to stare at her in his hand, only for the Skullcrawler to get back up and clamp its jaws onto his arm. Kong battled the Skullcrawler again, trying to keep Weaver away from its mouth, but the beast used its prehensile tongue to pull Kong's hand, with Weaver held in it, down its throat. Mustering all his strength, Kong pulled his hand free of the Skullcrawler's gullet, ripping out the beast's innards and killing it instantly. Kong gently set Weaver down on the ground, while Conrad immediately ran to her to ensure she was okay. As Weaver regained consciousness and embraced Conrad, Kong looked back at the two of them before walking away. Once the survivors were finally rescued from the island, Kong stood triumphantly in his domain, beating his chest and letting out a mighty roar.
[[File:Vlcsnap-2021-08-18-23h57m53s042.png|thumb|left|200px|Kong wields his battle axe, charged by [[Godzilla (Monsterverse)|Godzilla]]'s atomic breath, against [[Mechagodzilla (Monsterverse)|Mechagodzilla]] in ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'']]
Kong befriended a young Iwi girl named [[Jia]] after her parents were killed by a [[Sirenjaw]], forming a protective bond with her. By [[2024]], Monarch built a huge dome replicating Skull Island's original climate to house Kong, but it was clear it would not be able to hold him much longer. Dr. [[Ilene Andrews]] opposed suggestions to move Kong off the island, believing Godzilla, by now the undisputed alpha Titan, would come for him. However, Godzilla had recently begun attacking [[Apex Cybernetics]] facilities seemingly unprompted, leading Monarch to agree to lead a joint expedition with Apex into the Hollow Earth in order to recover an energy source capable of powering an anti-Godzilla weapon. Kong was to help locate the energy source, using his species' genetic memory. While Kong was being transported by a naval fleet in the Tasman Sea, Godzilla arrived to attack him. Godzilla destroyed much of the fleet and nearly drowned Kong before he was disoriented by depth charges. Deeming Kong to no longer be a threat, Godzilla withdrew, while Kong was airlifted to the Hollow Earth entrance in Antarctica. Escorted by two [[HEAV]]s, Kong reached the Hollow Earth and was immediately forced to battle two [[Warbat]]s. Kong came upon an ancient temple dedicated to his ancestors, discovering a huge battle axe inside a giant throne room. Apex located and copied the energy source to power its artificial Titan, [[Mechagodzilla (Monsterverse)|Mechagodzilla]], drawing Godzilla to Apex HQ in [[Hong Kong]]. Godzilla used his atomic breath to blast into the temple and bellow his challenge at Kong, who climbed through the opening and into the city, axe in hand. The two Titans engaged in a rematch, with Kong utilizing his axe to even the odds. While Kong held his own and managed to land several punishing blows on his foe, he was ultimately overpowered by Godzilla and left on the brink of death. In the meantime, the Hollow Earth energy source had caused Mechagodzilla to go berserk due to its the use of King Ghidorah's surviving skull as a neural processor. Mechagodzilla broke free of the Apex facility and stormed into Hong Kong, rampaging before attempting to kill Godzilla. Dr. [[Nathan Lind]] used a HEAV as a defibrillator to revive Kong, with Jia convincing him to help Godzilla against Mechagodzilla. Kong leapt to Godzilla's aid, and the two former enemies joined forces against the robotic Titan. Mechagodzilla nearly killed Kong using the spinning blades on the end of its tail, but the intervention of a group of humans stalled the machine long enough for Godzilla to power Kong's axe with his atomic breath. Kong proceeded to slice Mechagodzilla apart before tearing off its head. Godzilla and Kong ended their conflict and went their separate ways. Kong was relocated to his ancestral home in the Hollow Earth, where he made his new home.


===''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]''===
===Supporting roles in [[Warner Bros.]] films===
[[File:GKotM - KK.png|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'']]After [[King Ghidorah/Legendary|King Ghidorah]] issued a call that awakened the majority of the planet's dormant [[Titan]]s and summoned them to his aid, Kong did not respond and remained on [[Skull Island]]. Once [[Godzilla/Legendary|Godzilla]] defeated Ghidorah and reclaimed his title as King of the Monsters, the newly awakened Titans began migrating to Skull Island, which had become unstable due to recent seismic activity.
Due to its ownership of the original 1933 film as a result of acquiring RKO's film library in its acquisition of Turner Entertainment, Warner Bros. has featured Kong in supporting roles in its own films, which typically include ensemble casts of other popular characters either owned or licensed by Warner Bros.
====''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]''====
====''[[wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|The LEGO Batman Movie]]''====
King Kong will face off against [[Godzilla/Legendary|Godzilla]] in a battle to determine who will reign supreme.
[[File:LEGO King Kong 11.png|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''{{link|00BFFF|wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|The LEGO Batman Movie}}'']]
King Kong was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone along with other notorious villains of the LEGO multiverse. He was one of the villains freed by the Joker as part of his plan to exact revenge on Batman and destroy Gotham City. Kong was defeated when Robin crashed the Batmobile into his face, knocking him unconscious into the water.
{{Clear}}
====''[[wikipedia:Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]''====
[[File:RPO King Kong 2.png|thumb|left|200px|[[King Kong (Ready Player One)|King Kong]] in ''{{link|00BFFF|wikipedia:Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One}}'']]
James Halliday, the creator of a popular virtual reality game called the OASIS, devised a series of challenges called Anorak's Quest to determine his successor after his death. In the first challenge, players raced through the streets of a simulated [[New York City]], evading various obstacles. King Kong was the final hazard, leaping off the [[Empire State Building]] to attack the racers. Just before the finish line, Kong would crash through the racetrack itself and lurk out of sight, swatting any player who tried to drive over him. It is possible that Halliday programmed Kong to be impassible; the solution that Wade Watts discovered was to drive in reverse at the start of the race, revealing a hidden corridor that ran underneath the racetrack.
{{Clear}}
 
====''[[wikipedia:Space Jam: A New Legacy|Space Jam: A New Legacy]]''====
[[File:New Legacy Kong 5.jpg|thumb|right|200px|King Kong in ''{{link|00BFFF|wikipedia:Space Jam: A New Legacy|Space Jam: A New Legacy}}'']]
As a resident of the virtual Serververse where [[Warner Bros.]] properties reside, King Kong attended the high-stakes basketball match between teams led by LeBron James and his son Dom. He pouted when the malevolent artificial intelligence Al-G assumed control of Dom's team and boasted, "King Kong ain't got nothing on me." When the Toon-Squad eventually won the basketball match, King Kong gave a fist bump to the Iron Giant.
{{Clear}}


===''[[wikipedia:Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]''===
James Halliday, the creator of a popular virtual reality game called the OASIS, devised a series of challenges called Anorak's Quest to determine his successor after his death. In the first challenge, players raced through the streets of a simulated [[New York|New York City]], evading various obstacles. King Kong was the final hazard, leaping off the [[Empire State Building]] to attack the racers. Just before the finish line, Kong would crash through the racetrack itself and lurk out of sight, swatting any player who tried to drive over him. It is possible that Halliday programmed Kong to be impassible; the solution that Wade Watts discovered was to drive in reverse at the start of the race, revealing a hidden corridor that ran underneath the racetrack.
==Abilities==
==Abilities==
In all of his film appearances, King Kong displays immense physical strength. Kong is able to fight toe-to-toe with various giant creatures, such as dinosaurs and giant snakes, and come out on top. Kong exhibits impressive agility, as he can jump over great distances (such as the 250 meters between the [[World Trade Center]]'s Twin Towers) and land on his feet. Kong also demonstrates durability when he is able to continue fighting against airplanes (helicopters in the 1976 version) and even destroy some of them after being riddled with bullets. In the 1976 film, Kong survives getting shredded by machine gun fire and falling from the top of the South Tower of the World Trade Center before falling into a coma. In ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', Kong is even more resilient, and shows complete resistance to any and all gunfire. Kong even withstands being lit on fire after swimming through a lake filled with napalm, although it weakens him and causes him to pass out.
===Physical abilities===
In all of his film appearances, King Kong displays immense physical strength. Kong can fight toe-to-toe with various giant creatures, such as dinosaurs and giant snakes, and come out on top. Kong exhibits impressive agility, as he can jump over great distances (such as the 250 meters between the [[World Trade Center]]'s Twin Towers) and land on his feet. Kong also demonstrates durability when he continued fighting against airplanes (helicopters in the 1976 version) and even destroy some of them after being riddled with bullets. In the 1976 film, Kong survives getting shredded by machine-gun fire and falling from the top of the South Tower of the World Trade Center before falling into a coma. In ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'', Kong is even more resilient and shows complete resistance to any gunfire. Kong even withstands being lit on fire after swimming through a lake filled with napalm, although it weakens him and causes him to pass out.


Kong is also remarkably intelligent. He makes use of environmental objects like trees or rocks when fighting, and even when overwhelmed by more powerful or more numerous opponents he can think on his feet and find a way to win. In the 2005 film, Kong demonstrated the ability to understand and use sign language to Ann.
Kong is also remarkably intelligent. He makes use of environmental objects like trees or rocks when fighting, and even when overwhelmed by more powerful or more numerous opponents he can think on his feet and find a way to win. In the 2005 film, Kong demonstrated the ability to understand and use sign language to Ann.
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King Kong appears to be particularly resistant to Godzilla's atomic breath. He is hit by it multiple times throughout ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', and usually suffers little more than having some of his fur singed.
King Kong appears to be particularly resistant to Godzilla's atomic breath. He is hit by it multiple times throughout ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', and usually suffers little more than having some of his fur singed.
==Filmography==
 
*''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' (1933)
== Attractions ==
*''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' (1962)
*[[King Kong Encounter]] - Universal Studios Hollywood (1986-2008)
*''[[The King Kong Show]]'' (TV 1966) [episodes 1-26]
*[[Kongfrontation]] - Universal Studios Orlando (1990-2002)
*''[[King Kong Escapes]]'' (1967)
*[[King Kong: 360 3-D]] - Universal Studios Hollywood (2010-present)
*''[[Go! Greenman]]'' (TV 1974) [episode 38, as "Gorilla"]
*[[Skull Island: Reign of Kong]] - Universal Islands of Adventures (2016-present)
*''[[King Kong (1976 film)|King Kong]]'' (1976)
 
*''[[King Kong Lives]]'' (1986)
==Video games==
*''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]'' (1995) [photograph]
*''[[King Kong (video game)|King Kong]]'' (1982) - Atari 2600
*''[[The Mighty Kong]]'' (1998)
*''[[Kong: The Animated Series]]'' (TV 2000-2001) [episodes 1-40]
*''[[Kong: King of Atlantis]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong: Return to the Jungle]]'' (2006)
*''[[Kong: King of the Apes]]'' (TV 2016-) [episodes 1-13]
*''[[wikipedia:The Lego Batman Movie|The LEGO Batman Movie]]'' (2017)
*''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' (2017)
*''[[wikipedia:Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]'' (2018)
*''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'' (2019) [stock footage; cave painting]
*''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'' (2020)
==Video Games==
*''[[King Kong 2: Furious Megaton Punch]]'' (1986) - Nintendo Famicom
*''[[King Kong 2: Furious Megaton Punch]]'' (1986) - Nintendo Famicom
*''[[King Kong 2: Revived Legend]]'' (1986) - Microsoft MSX2
*''[[King Kong 2: Revived Legend]]'' (1986) - Microsoft MSX2
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*''[[Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie]]'' (2005) - Nintendo Game Cube, Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360
*''[[Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie]]'' (2005) - Nintendo Game Cube, Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360
*''[[Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]'' (2005) - Nintendo Game Boy Advance
*''[[Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]'' (2005) - Nintendo Game Boy Advance
*''[[King Kong: The Official Mobile Game of the Movie]]'' (2005) - Mobile
*''[[Kong: The Animated Series (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: The Animated Series]]'' (2002) - Nintendo Game Boy Advance
*''[[Kong: King of Atlantis (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: King of Atlantis]]'' (2005) - Nintendo Game Boy Advance
*''[[Kong: King of Atlantis (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: King of Atlantis]]'' (2005) - Nintendo Game Boy Advance
*''[[King Kong: Skull Island Adventure]]'' (2008) - Browser
*''[[King Kong: Skull Island Adventure]]'' (2008) - Browser
*''MOBA Legends'' (2016) - Android and iOS
*''MOBA Legends'' (2016; added in 2017) - Android and iOS
*''Super Pixel Heroes'' (2017) - Android and iOS
*''Super Pixel Heroes'' (2017) - Android and iOS
*''LEGO Dimensions: The LEGO Batman Movie'' (2017) - Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii U, Microsoft Xbox One, Microsoft Xbox 360
*''LEGO Dimensions: The LEGO Batman Movie'' (2017) - Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii U, Microsoft Xbox One, Microsoft Xbox 360
 
*''[[Monsterverse (slot machine)|Monsterverse]]'' (2020) - Empire DCX slot machine
*''[[King Kong of Skull Island VR]]'' (2021) - Arcade
*''[[Roblox]]'' (2006; added in 2021) - Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Xbox One
*''[[PUBG Mobile]]'' (2018; added in 2021) - Android and iOS
*''[[Magic Domain]]'' (2021) - iOS, Google Play, Android
*''[[Godzilla Destruction]]'' (2021) - Android and iOS [game files only; never implemented]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tohokingdom.com/vg/godzilla_destruction/unreleased_content.html|title=Godzilla Destruction - Unreleased Content [Android/iOS]|work=Toho Kingdom|accessdate=7 October 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Godzilla Battle Line]]'' (2021) - Android, iOS, and PC
*''[[World of Warships]]'' (2015; added in 2021) - iOS, Google Play, Android
*''[[LifeAfter]]'' (2018; added in 2021) - iOS, Google Play, Android
*''[[Funko Pop! Blitz]]'' (2019; added in 2021) - iOS, Android
*''[[Go Big!]]'' (2021) - iOS, Google Play, Android
*''[[Call of Duty|Call of Duty: Vanguard]]'' (2021; added in 2022) - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
*''[[Call of Duty|Call of Duty: Warzone]]'' (2020; added in 2022) - Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
*''[[Evony: The King's Return]]'' (2016; added in 2022) - Android, iOS
*''[[Pinball FX]]'' (2023) - PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, Epic Games
*''[[Skull Island: Rise of Kong]]'' (2023) - Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
*''[[Minecraft: Bedrock Edition]]'' (2011; added in 2024) - Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Fire OS/TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, Samsung Gear VR
*''[[Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers]]'' (2024) - Android, iOS, and PC
*''[[Lords Mobile]]'' (2016; to be added in 2024) - Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, iPadOS, Fire OS<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LordsMobile/status/1756905972310901169|title=Monstrous roars reverberate across the kingdoms, signaling the arrival of two legendary titans. Lords Mobile will be collaborating with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire! 💥<br><br>Brace yourselves for exclusive items and mystery events.<br><br>Stay tuned!<br><br>#lordsmobile #godzillaxkong|author=Lord Mobile|date=February 12, 2024|work=X}}</ref>
===''[[Konami Wai Wai World]]''===
===''[[Konami Wai Wai World]]''===
Age: 8 years old<br>
Age: 8 years old<br>
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King Kong Gameboy.jpg|King Kong in ''[[Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]''
King Kong Gameboy.jpg|King Kong in ''[[Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]''
Kong King of Atlantis GBA.jpg|King Kong in ''[[Kong: King of Atlantis (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: King of Atlantis]]''
Kong King of Atlantis GBA.jpg|King Kong in ''[[Kong: King of Atlantis (Game Boy Advance)|Kong: King of Atlantis]]''
File:ML K.png|Kong in the ''MOBA Legends'' icon
File:ML KK.png|''MOBA Legends'' artwork
MOBAKong.jpg|King Kong in ''MOBA Legends''
MOBAKong.jpg|King Kong in ''MOBA Legends''
Lego dimensions King Kong.png|King Kong in ''LEGO Dimensions: The LEGO Batman Movie'' story pack
Lego dimensions King Kong.png|King Kong in ''LEGO Dimensions: The LEGO Batman Movie'' story pack
File:kongtop3-387x446.png|[[King Kong (Monsterverse)|King Kong]] in the ''[[Monsterverse (slot machine)|Monsterverse]]'' slot machine
File:RawThrillsKingKong.png|King Kong in ''[[King Kong of Skull Island VR]]''
File:rh1n2r3uyl881.jpg|Kong in ''Funko Pop! Blitz''
File:image004.png|[[King Kong (Monsterverse)|Kong 2021]] in ''[[Godzilla Battle Line]]''
File:gallery_K_Kong.png|King Kong model in ''Go Big!''
File:270786726_128174969672130_8691022755920227520_n.jpg|Antarctic Kong skin in ''Go Big!''
File:Burning Kong.jpg|Inferno Kong skin in ''Go Big!''
File:270778588_335624695073958_3477521891730093935_n.jpg| Jungle Kong skin in ''Go Big!''
File:unreleased_kong_icon.jpg|Unused King Kong (2021) icon from ''[[Godzilla Destruction]]''
File:Kong chilling.png|King Kong in ''[[Evony: The King's Return]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Books==
 
==Tabletop games==
*''[[King Kong Game]]'' (1962)
*''[[King of Tokyo]]'' (2011; added in 2017)
*''[[Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure]]'' (2023)
==Books and short stories==
*''[[King Kong (1932 novelization)|King Kong]]'' (1932)
*''[[King Kong (1932 novelization)|King Kong]]'' (1932)
*"[[After King Kong Fell]]" (1973; short story)
*''[[Merian C. Cooper's King Kong]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong: King of Skull Island]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong: King of Skull Island]]'' (2005)
*''[[Merian C. Cooper's King Kong]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong: The Island of the Skull]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong: The Island of the Skull]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong Reborn]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]'' (2005)
*''[[The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island]]'' (2005)
*''[[Escape from Skull Island]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong's Kingdom]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kong's Kingdom]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong Vs. Tarzan]]'' (2016)
*''[[Journey to Skull Island]]'' (2005)
*''[[Meet Kong and Ann]]'' (2005)
*''[[The Search for Kong]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong (2005 novelization)|King Kong]]'' (2005)
*''[[King Kong: The Junior Novel]]'' (2005)
*''[[Doc Savage: Skull Island]]'' (2013)
*''[[King Kong vs. Tarzan]]'' (2016)
*''[[Kong: Skull Island - The Official Movie Novelization]]'' (2017)
*''[[Kong: Skull Island - The Official Movie Novelization]]'' (2017)
*''[[King Kong of Skull Island]]'' (2018)
*''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization]]'' (2019)
*''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization]]'' (2019)
*''[[Kong and Me]]'' (2021)
*''[[Godzilla vs. Kong: The Official Movie Novelization]]'' (2021)
*''[[Godzilla vs. Kong: Sometimes Friends Fight (But They Always Make Up)]]'' (2021)
*''[[King Kong's Cousin]]'' (2022)
===[[Monsterverse]] tie-ins===
All of the [[Monsterverse]] films received novelizations, with ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization]]'' adding a scene in which [[King Kong (Monsterverse)|Kong]] prepares to defend [[Skull Island]] against an onslaught of [[Skullcrawler]]s provoked by [[King Ghidorah (Monsterverse)|Ghidorah]]'s call. Kong also appeared in two kid-friendly tie-ins to ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]''. He explores Skull Island with the [[Iwi]] girl [[Jia]] in ''[[Kong and Me]]'' and travels the world with [[Godzilla (Monsterverse)|Godzilla]] to demonstrate key tenets of friendship in ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong: Sometimes Friends Fight (But They Always Make Up)]]''.
==Comics==
==Comics==
*''[[King Kong (Monster Comics)|King Kong]]'' (1991-1992) [issues #1-6]
{{Stub|section}}
*''[[King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]'' (2005-2006) [issues #1-3]
*''[[King Kong (Monster Comics)|King Kong]]'' #1-6 (1991-1992)
*''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'' (2017) [issues #1, 3-4]
*''[[King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (graphic novel)|King Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World]]'' #1-3 (2005-2006)  
*''[[Kong: Gods of Skull Island]]'' (2017)
*''[[Skull Island: The Birth of Kong]]'' #1, 3-4 (2017)
*''[[Kong: Gods of Skull Island]]'' #1 (2017)
*''[[Kong on the Planet of the Apes]]'' #1-6 (2017-2018)
*''[[Kong of Skull Island 2018 Special]]'' #1 (2018)
*''[[Kingdom Kong]]'' (2021)
*''[[Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong]]'' #1, 3-5 (2023-2024)
*''[[Godzilla x Kong: The Hunted]]'' (2024)
 
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Main|King Kong/Gallery}}
{{Main|King Kong/Gallery}}
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In the [[King Kong (1933 film)|original 1933 film]], King Kong's roar was adapted from tiger and lion roars and altered in pitch.
In the [[King Kong (1933 film)|original 1933 film]], King Kong's roar was adapted from tiger and lion roars and altered in pitch.


King Kong's roar in the Toho films was later reused for [[King Caesar]] and [[Daigoro]].
King Kong's roar in the two Toho films was later reused for [[King Caesar]], [[Sanda]], [[Gaira]], [[Daigoro]], and [[Manda]] in ''[[Godzilla Singular Point]]''.
 
In ''[[Go! Greenman]]'', Gorilla's roars are reused [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Mummy Man|Mummy Man]] roars, which were in turn later reused for [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Black King|Black King]].


In [[King Kong (1976 film)|the 1976 remake]], King Kong's vocalizations were provided by an uncredited Peter Cullen. These roars would go on to become very famous stock roars and were even used for [[Toto]] in ''[[Gamera the Brave]]'' 30 years later.
In [[King Kong (1976 film)|the 1976 remake]], King Kong's roars are primarily derived from stock roars dating back to the [[1957]] films ''[[wikipedia:The Land Unknown|The Land Unknown]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:The Deadly Mantis|The Deadly Mantis]]'', with additional vocalizations provided by an uncredited [[Peter Cullen]]. The stock roars would go on to  
be used in countless other monster movies, and were even used for [[Toto]] in ''[[Gamera the Brave]]'' 30 years later.


In [[King Kong (2005 film)|the 2005 remake]], Kong's motion-capture actor [[Andy Serkis]] provided vocalizations for Kong that were then lowered in pitch to match those of a real gorilla, and then mixed with various other animal sounds.
In [[King Kong (2005 film)|the 2005 remake]], Kong's motion-capture actor [[Andy Serkis]] provided vocalizations for Kong that were then lowered in pitch to match those of a real gorilla, and then mixed with various other animal sounds.


Kong's roars in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' were created by sound designer Al Nelson and adapted from the sounds of lions, gorillas and monkeys. The use of lion roars was inspired by how sound editor Murray Spivak created Kong's roars in the original film.
Kong's roars in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' were created by sound designer Al Nelson and adapted from the sounds of lions, gorillas, and monkeys. The use of lion roars was inspired by how sound editor Murray Spivak created Kong's roars in the original film. In ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'', Kong's roars were created by [[Erik Aadahl]] and were adapted from lions, leopards, bears, tigers, gorillas, boars and elephants.{{citation needed}}
{{Videos|
{{Videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">5YeQUy_qK9E</youtube>|King Kong's roars in the [[Showa era|Showa series]]}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">rNGyhTaXdRY</youtube>|[[King Kong (RKO)|King Kong's]] roars in the [[King Kong (1933 film)|1933 film]]}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">UcoZR1mIeNA</youtube>|King Kong's roars in the [[King Kong (1976 film)|1976 film]]}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">5YeQUy_qK9E</youtube>|[[King Kong (King Kong vs. Godzilla)|King]] [[King Kong (King Kong Escapes)|Kong's]] roars in the [[Showa era|Showa series]]}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">lWmEReS_r-s</youtube>|[[King Kong (De Laurentiis)|King Kong's]] roars in the [[King Kong (1976 film)|1976 film]]}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">Z-TkSBBA80k</youtube>|King Kong's roars in the 1986 Universal Studios ''[[King Kong Encounter]]'' attraction}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">t7nWVuGLveI</youtube>|[[King Kong (Universal)|King Kong's]] roars and sound effects in the [[King Kong (2005 film)|2005 film]]}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">kROm4pR2eHQ</youtube>|King Kong's roars and sound effects throughout the [[Monsterverse]]}}
}}
}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*King Kong was the first American-made monster to fight Godzilla in a movie, the second being [[Zilla]], and the third being [[MUTO]].
*King Kong was Godzilla's first opponent in a color film.
*King Kong's relatively small size outside of the Toho and MonsterVerse films fits with scientific understanding of the [[wikipedia:Square Cube Law|Square Cube Law]], in which large animals have a low surface area, and therefore are less efficient at processes such as gas exchange, placing an upper limit on their size. King Kong's size in the 1933 film is close to the largest size a terrestrial animal can be under the current understood constraints.
*King Kong was the first American-made monster to fight Godzilla in a film, the second being [[Zilla]], and the third being the [[MUTO]]s.
*According to an interview with [[Ishiro Honda]], an [[All Monsters Attack Directive|early draft]] for the [[1968]] film ''[[Destroy All Monsters]] '' called for "all monsters" to appear. It's possible that Kong was to be among them, but it is unconfirmed.
*King Kong's relatively small size outside of the Toho and Monsterverse films fits with the scientific understanding of the [[wikipedia:Square–cube law|square–cube law]], in which large animals have a low surface area, and therefore are less efficient at processes such as gas exchange, placing an upper limit on their size. King Kong's size in the 1933 film is close to the largest size a terrestrial animal can be under the currently understood constraints.
*[[Toho]] had planned to feature Kong in the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]] of [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]] films in a remake of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' titled ''[[Godzilla vs. King Kong]]''. According to special effects director [[Koichi Kawakita]], the film would have Kong fall in love with a scientist who eventually coverts him into a cyborg. Turner Entertainment, by then the copyright owners of the original 1933 film, requested payment from Toho for the rights to use the character, and the film was ultimately scrapped. Toho later considered several projects pitting Godzilla against Kong's mechanical doppelganger, [[Mechani-Kong]], but these films never came to pass either.
*According to an interview with [[Ishiro Honda]], an [[All Monsters Attack Directive|early draft]] for the [[1968]] film ''[[Destroy All Monsters]] '' called for "all monsters" to appear. It is possible that Kong was to be among them, but this remains unconfirmed.
*Kong is one of the many [[kaiju]] who share "King" in their names. Some examples are [[King Ghidorah]], [[King Caesar]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Red King|Red King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Kingsaurus III|Kingsaurus III]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Jumbo King|Jumbo King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Live King|Live King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Grand King|Grand King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:King of Mons|King of Mons]] and [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Five King|Five King]], as well as [[Godzilla]], who is given the title "King of the Monsters."
*[[Toho]] had planned to feature Kong in the [[Heisei era|Heisei series]] of [[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]] films in a remake of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' titled ''[[Godzilla vs. King Kong]]''. According to designer [[Shinji Nishikawa]] <ref name="">[http://www.davmil.org/www.kaijuconversations.com/nishikaw.htm]13</ref>, the film would have Kong fall in love with a scientist who eventually converts him into a cyborg. Turner Entertainment, by then the copyright owners of the original 1933 film, requested payment from Toho for the rights to use the character, and the film was ultimately scrapped. Toho later considered several projects pitting Godzilla against Kong's mechanical doppelgänger, [[Mechani-Kong]], but these films never came to pass either.
*Kong is one of the many [[kaiju]] who share the word "King" in their names. Other examples are [[King Ghidorah]], [[King Caesar]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Red King|Red King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Black King|Black King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Gold King|Gold King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Jumbo King|Jumbo King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Grand King|Grand King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Five King|Five King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Live King|Live King]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Eleking|Eleking]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:King Joe|King Joe]], [[wikia:w:c:ultra:King of Mons|King of Mons]] and [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Kingsaurus III|Kingsaurus III]], as well as [[Godzilla]] and [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Geronimon|Geronimon]], who are given the titles "the King of the Monsters" and "the King of All Monsters", respectively.
*In the Toho films, Kong is much taller than the original King Kong, who was said to stand at 50 feet tall in the original 1933 film. Kong is approximately 145 feet tall in ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', and 60 feet tall in ''King Kong Escapes''.
*In the Toho films, Kong is much taller than the original King Kong, who was said to stand at 50 feet tall in the original 1933 film. Kong is approximately 145 feet tall in ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', and 60 feet tall in ''King Kong Escapes''.
*Toho's King Kong was the basis for the American/Japanese anime TV Show, ''[[The King Kong Show]]''. Toho was not involved in its development, though they later collaborated with the show's makers, [[Rankin/Bass Productions]], to produce the film ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', which adapted several elements from the show.
*Toho's King Kong was the basis for the American/Japanese anime TV series ''[[The King Kong Show]]''. Toho was not involved in its development, though they later collaborated with the show's makers, [[Rankin/Bass Productions]], to produce the film ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'', which adapted several elements from the series.
*The [[1962]] King Kong suit would later be loaned to [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Tsuburaya Productions|Tsuburaya Productions]] for the second episode of ''[[wikia:w:c:ultra:Ultra Q|Ultra Q]]'' where he was given more pronounced eyebrows, a tail, and more visible ears, to portray the massive monkey, [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Goro|Goro]].
*The [[1962]] King Kong suit would later be loaned to [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Tsuburaya Productions|Tsuburaya Productions]] for the second episode of ''[[wikia:w:c:ultra:Ultra Q|Ultra Q]]'' where he was given more pronounced eyebrows, a tail, and more visible ears, to portray the massive monkey [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Goro|Goro]].
*King Kong was the first monster to defeat Godzilla in battle. A popular urban legend claims that different endings were shot for the Japanese and American versions of ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', with Kong winning in the American version and Godzilla emerging triumphant in the original Japanese version. However, this rumor is certifiably false, as both versions end with only Kong emerging from the ocean, and Godzilla nowhere to be seen. Both Toho's 1963 international sales booklet and the company's official English-language site state the Kong was the victor,<ref>[[File:Tohofilms8.png|150px]]</ref><ref name="toho.website">[https://www.toho.website/movies/3/index.html King Kong vs. Godzilla | TOHO]</ref> while producer [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] declared the outcome a draw in his 1984 book ''[[Definitive Edition Godzilla Introduction]]''. Regardless, there is no version of the film in which Godzilla defeats Kong.
*A popular urban legend claims that two different endings were shot for the Japanese and American versions of ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'', with Kong winning in the American version and Godzilla winning in the original Japanese version. However, this rumor is certifiably false, as both versions end with only Kong emerging from the ocean, and Godzilla nowhere to be seen. Both Toho's 1963 international sales booklet and the company's official English-language site state that Kong was the victor,<ref>[[File:Tohofilms8.png|150px]]</ref><ref name="toho.website">[https://www.toho.website/movies/3/index.html King Kong vs. Godzilla | TOHO]</ref>while producer [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]] declared the outcome a draw in his 1984 book ''[[Definitive Edition Godzilla Introduction]]''. Regardless, there is no version of the film in which Godzilla defeats Kong.
*King Kong's roars from the Toho films have been used for many other [[kaiju]], particularly in the [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Ultra Series|Ultra Series]]. [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Gudon|Gudon]], a [[kaiju]] from ''[[wikia:w:c:ultra:Return of Ultraman|Return of Ultraman]]'' and [[King Caesar]] are among the best known of these examples. Some of the stock roars used by Kong in the [[King Kong (1976 film)|1976 film]] were later used for [[Toto]] in ''[[Gamera the Brave]]''.
*King Kong's roars from the Toho films have been used for many other [[kaiju]], particularly in the ''[[wikia:w:c:ultra:Ultraman Series|Ultra Series]]''. [[wikia:w:c:ultra:Gudon|Gudon]], a [[kaiju]] from ''[[wikia:w:c:ultra:Return of Ultraman|Return of Ultraman]]'' and [[King Caesar]] are among the best known of these examples. Some of the stock roars used by Kong in the [[King Kong (1976 film)|1976 film]] were later used for [[Toto]] in ''[[Gamera the Brave]]''.
*Some of the German releases of the Showa era films changed the names of various unrelated characters to King Kong. For instance, both [[Jet Jaguar]] from ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' and [[Mechagodzilla/Showa|Mechagodzilla]] are called King Kong in the dubs. However, unlike what many people believe, they aren't stated to actually be the real King Kong wearing robot suits or confusion with [[Mechani-Kong]]. The name "King Kong" carried great marquee value, and this is likely the reason why the German distributors changed the names around.
*Some of the German releases of the Showa era films changed the names of various unrelated characters to King Kong. For instance, both [[Jet Jaguar]] from ''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]'' and [[Mechagodzilla (Showa)|Mechagodzilla]] are called King Kong in the German dubs. However, unlike what many people believe, they are not stated to actually be the real King Kong wearing robot suits or confused with [[Mechani-Kong]]. The name "King Kong" carried great marquee value, and this is likely the reason why the German distributors changed the names around.
*There were two known unlicensed Japanese King Kong films produced in the 1930's, ''[[Japanese King Kong]]'' and ''[[King Kong Appeared in Edo]]''. They are notable for being two of the first ever tokusatsu/kaiju films ever made, predating ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' by two decades. Unfortunately, all prints of these films are believed lost and very few records of their existence remain.
*There were two known unlicensed Japanese King Kong films produced in the 1930s, ''[[Japanese King Kong]]'' and ''[[The King Kong that Appeared in Edo]]''. They are notable for being two of the first-ever tokusatsu/kaiju films ever made, predating ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' by two decades. Unfortunately, all prints of both of these films are believed to be lost and very few records of their existence remain. Kong's name also influenced the first kaiju television series, ''[[wikipedia:Marine Kong|Marine Kong]]'', although the titular monster was a robot dinosaur.
*Shunsuke Fujita, the producer of the [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|PlayStation 3 and 4 ''Godzilla'' game]], stated in an interview that the developers and he "definitely wanted" to include King Kong in the game, but were unable due to licensing issues.<ref>[http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/13/godzilla-developer-was-so-passionate-about-their-favorite-monster-they-snuck-it-in-the-game/ Godzilla Developer Was So Passionate About Their Favorite Monster They Snuck It In The Game - Siliconera]</ref>
*Shunsuke Fujita, the producer of the [[Godzilla (2014 video game)|PlayStation 3 and 4 ''Godzilla'' game]], stated in an interview that the developers and he "definitely wanted" to include King Kong in the game, but were unable to due to licensing issues.<ref>[http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/13/godzilla-developer-was-so-passionate-about-their-favorite-monster-they-snuck-it-in-the-game/ Godzilla Developer Was So Passionate About Their Favorite Monster They Snuck It In The Game - Siliconera]</ref>
*With the exception of both Toho films, ''[[King Kong Lives]]'', and the upcoming ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'', all of Kong's other live-action film appearances are set in either the 1930's or 1970's.
*Kong is killed or seemingly killed at the end of the majority of his live action film appearances, with the two Toho films (''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' and ''[[King Kong Escapes]]'') and his two Monsterverse appearances (''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' and ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'') being the only exceptions.
*Kong is killed or seemingly killed at the end of the majority of his film appearances, with the two Toho films and ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]'' being the only exceptions.
*While Kong is only mentioned in dialogue and shown through stock footage in ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'', he is included in a piece of concept art featured in ''[[The Art of Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]''<ref name="GKOTM">[[File:6240338_2380115275640964_7569062263025887966_n.jpg|150px]]</ref> depicting the film's final scene as one of the kaiju surrounding Godzilla.
*While Kong is only mentioned in dialogue and shown through stock footage in ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'', he is included in a piece of concept art featured in ''[[The Art of Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]''<ref name="GKOTM">[[File:6240338_2380115275640964_7569062263025887966_n.jpg|150px]]</ref> depicting the film's final scene as one of the kaiju surrounding Godzilla.
 
*In the 80th Academy Awards opening, for a brief moment [[King Kong (Universal)|Peter Jackson's King Kong]] can be seen fighting against [[Godzilla (TriStar)|TriStar's Godzilla]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YomFIbvApZY</ref>
==Videos==
==Videos==
{{Videos|
{{Videos|
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EB5jalGl9I</youtube>|{{WZYT|Kaiju Profile: Toho King Kong}}}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EB5jalGl9I</youtube>|{{WZYT|Kaiju Profile: Toho King Kong}}}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndhStpB4uW4</youtube>|{{WZYT|Kaiju Profile: King Kong 2017}}}}
{{vid|<youtube width="300" height="169">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSYo8U8G2oc</youtube>|{{WZYT|Kaiju Profile: King Kong 2021|Kaiju Profile: Kong (2017-2021)}}}}
}}
}}
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Monsters}}
{{Toho Monsters}}
{{Toho Monsters}}
{{King Kong 1933}}
{{Son of Kong}}
{{King Kong vs. Godzilla}}
{{The King Kong Show}}
{{King Kong 1976}}
{{King Kong Lives}}
{{The Mighty Kong}}
{{KTAS}}
{{King Kong 2005}}
{{Kong: King of the Apes}}
{{Kong: Skull Island}}
{{Comments}}
{{Comments}}
{{Era|RKO|TOH|RB|PAR|DL|UNI|NET|LEG|WB|SHO|MV|KAI|KK}}
{{Era|RKO|TOH|RB|PAR|DL|UNI|NET|LEG|WB|SHO|MV|KAI|KK}}
[[es:King Kong]]
[[es:King Kong]]
<seo metakeywords="king kong, skull island, monsterverse, godzilla, wikizilla, wiki, 1933, 1976, 2005, 8th wonder of the world, escapes, lives" />
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Toho Kaiju]]
[[Category:Toho Kaiju]]
[[Category:King Kong]]
[[Category:King Kong]]
[[Category:Showa Kaiju]]
[[Category:Showa Kaiju]]
[[Category:Greenman Kaiju]]
[[Category:Villain monsters]]
[[Category:Villain Monsters]]
[[Category:Ape-like Kaiju]]
[[Category:Ape-like Kaiju]]
[[Category:Ape Kaiju]]
[[Category:Ape Kaiju]]

Latest revision as of 22:21, 26 March 2024

Article

King Kong
King Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong
Name information
null
Alternate names Kong, The Eighth Wonder of the World,
The Eighth Wonder, The Beast, The Greatest King, Monkey, Kingkong[1]
Subtitle(s) Demon King of the Jungle
(ジャングルの魔王,   Janguru no Maō)KK33[2]
Great Strong Monster
(大怪力怪獣,   Daikairiki Kaijū)KKvG, KKE[3]
Giant Demon God
(巨大なる魔神,   Kyodainaru Majin)KKvG[3]
Demon of the South Seas
(南海の魔神,   Nankai no Majin)KKvG[4][5]
Giant Monster
(大怪獣,   Daikaijū)[6]
Ruler of the South Seas
(南海の王者,   Nankai no Ōja)KKE
King of the World
(世界の王者,   Sekai no Ōja)TKKS
Guardian God of Skull Island
(髑髏島の守護神,   Dokurotō no Shugoshin)KSI
The-Mountain-Who-Thunders-Death
Guardian Deity (守護神,   Shugoshin)GvK
Class-
ification
Titanus Kong (individual)MV
Apus Giganticus (species)MV[7][note 1]
Physical information
null
Species Giant ape (Megaprimatus kongKK05)
Height 15.24 metersKK33, KK76-KKL,
45 metersKKvG,[8][9]
20 metersKKE,[9]
7.62 metersKK05,
31.6 metersKSI[10][11]
102 metersGvK[12]
Weight 20,500 metric tonsKKvG,[9]
10,000 metric tonsKKE,[9]
5 tonsKK05,
158 tonsKSI[10][11]
Forms Mega KongKTAS,
BabyKKotA, JuvenileKKotA
Affiliation information
null
Place(s) of emergence Faro IslandKKvG,[3]
Mondo IslandKKE[3]
Controlled by Dr. WhoKKE (temporarily)
Relations Kiko, Baby Kong (sons),
Lady Kong (mate)
Jason Jenkins ("brother"),
Junior (cousin)
Allies Lady Kong,
Jason JenkinsKTAS, Ann DarrowKK05, James ConradKSI, Mason WeaverKSI, Hank MarlowKSI, JiaGvK, GodzillaGvK, Suko
Enemies Meat-Eater, Elasmosaurus, Pteranodon, Godzilla, Gorosaurus, Giant Octopus, Mechani-Kong, Giant Sea Serpent, Giant Boa, V. rex, Terapusmordax, Skullcrawlers, Mire Squid, Preston Packard, Death Jackals, Sirenjaw, Mother Longlegs, Camazotz, Warbats, Hellhawks, Mechagodzilla, Skar King, Shimo, SupergirlJLvGvK
Real world information
null
Created by Merian C. Cooper
Played by Stop-motion animationKK33,
Shoichi HiroseKKvG,
Haruo NakajimaKKE,
Rick BakerKK76,
Will ShephardKK76,
Peter Cullen (vocals)KK76-KKL,
Peter ElliottKKL,
Scott McNeilK:TAS,
Andy SerkisKK05,
Frank WelkerKKG,
Seth Green (voice)TLBM,
Tobey Kebbell and Terry NotaryKSI[13],
Eric PeteyGvK[14]
Other information
null
First appearance Latest appearance
King Kong (1933) Godzilla x Kong:
The New Empire
Roar(s)
1933:1962-1967:1976:1986:The Mighty Kong:The Animated Series:2005:King of the Apes:2017:2021, Skull Island: More roars
And now, ladies and gentlemen, before I tell you any more, I'm going to show you the greatest thing your eyes have ever beheld. He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization merely a captive, a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World!
„ 

Carl Denham (King Kong)

King Kong (キングコング,   Kingu Kongu)[note 2] is a giant ape monster who first appeared in the 1933 RKO Radio Pictures film King Kong.

One of the most well-known monsters in all of cinema, Kong made his debut in the 1933 film bearing his name. Though he has been reimagined many times in many different films, Kong is usually portrayed as a gigantic gorilla-like ape residing on a remote island (sometimes dubbed Skull Island) hidden from civilization and inhabited by other bizarre creatures. Typically, Kong is worshiped as a god by the natives living on the island, who often sacrifice young women to him, whom he accepts as his "brides." In the original film and its two remakes, Kong is taken away from his island by an expedition team from the United States and brought back to New York, where he escapes and goes on a violent rampage before climbing a skyscraper, then being gunned down by military aircraft and falling to his death. Toho acquired the rights to use Kong for their 1962 film King Kong vs. Godzilla, where he was drastically scaled up and pitted against Toho's flagship monster Godzilla. Toho made another film featuring Kong, King Kong Escapes, in 1967, where Kong battled an evil robot duplicate of himself named Mechani-Kong. The original King Kong was remade in 1976 by Dino De Laurentiis, and a sequel to this remake titled King Kong Lives was released in 1986. Universal Pictures released their own remake in 2005, directed by Peter Jackson. In 2017, Kong became part of Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros.' Monsterverse after appearing in the film Kong: Skull Island. In this continuity, Kong witnessed the brutal death of his parents at the hands of the Skullcrawlers shortly after his birth, leading him to become the self-appointed guardian of Skull Island. He reappears in the film's 2021 sequel Godzilla vs. Kong, in which he initially enters into conflict with Godzilla but eventually sides with him to destroy the Apex Cybernetics-constructed anti-Titan weapon Mechagodzilla.

This is an overview page. To view information on specific incarnations of King Kong, please click on their corresponding boxes in the table below.

Name

King Kong was named by Merian C. Cooper who, after consulting with his friend W. Douglas Burden, decided upon the name "Kong" due to his liking of single-syllable film titles with peculiar sounds and liking of the hard 'K' sound. The prefix "King" was later attached to the original film's title, and by extent Kong himself, after a complaint from executives at RKO who refused to accept the title due to it having "a Chinese sound" and being too similar to the name of Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack's 1927 film, Chang. Prior to King Kong being decided upon, the titles "The Eighth Wonder" and "The Beast" were considered,[15] the former of which would be extended to The Eighth Wonder of the World and used as a nickname for Kong within the film.

For Kong's appearances in the Japanese Toho films King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes, as well as Japanese releases of the other American Kong films, his name is converted into katakana as Kingu Kongu (キングコング). These incarnations of Kong are also given several Japanese subtitles, including Great Strong Monster (大怪力怪獣,   Dai Kairiki Kaijū), Giant Devil (巨大なる魔神,   Kyodainaru Majin),[3] and Demon of the South Seas (南海の魔神,   Nankai no Majin).[4][5] In King Kong Escapes, the Mondo Islanders refer to Kong as Bon Kong (ボンコング,   Bon Kongu)[16], with 'Bon' meaning "King" in their language. The King Kong from Kong: Skull Island is given the subtitle Guardian God of Skull Island (髑髏島の守護神,   Dokurotō no Shugoshin) and is referred to as the Giant God of Skull Island (髑髏島の巨神,   Dokurotō no Kyoshin) and The Greatest King (最大の王,   Saidai no Ō) by the film's Japanese title and trailer, respectively.

The incarnation of King Kong featured in King Kong Escapes is sometimes denoted as the Second Generation King Kong (2代目キングコング,   Nidaime Kingu Kongu).[17] After Toho lost the rights to the character, they displayed the suit from this film at a public event under the name King Gorilla (キングゴリラ,   Kingu Gorira).[18]

The character is often referred to as just Kong, with the "King" title only used during the ill-fated promotional events exhibiting him to the public. In King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes, he is referred to primarily by his full name of "King Kong." In Escapes specifically, he is initially known only as "Kong" before Carl Nelson hears a native of Mondo Island refer to him as Bon Kong, which he translates as "King Kong." In the Monsterverse, he is only referred to as "Kong" onscreen and in the films' titles, though tie-in media such as Kong: Skull Island - The Official Movie Novelization, Kong: Skull Island - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, solicitations for Skull Island: The Birth of Kong and some merchandise, as well as the Japanese title for Kong: Skull Island, do use his full name of "King Kong."

Design

In all of his appearances, Kong mostly resembles a giant silverback gorilla, with either light black or brown fur. Kong varies between knuckle-walking like a real gorilla and walking upright like a human, sometimes utilizing both forms of locomotion. Kong typically has an upright human-like posture and primarily walks upright, although in King Kong (2005), he more anatomically resembles a real gorilla and moves like one. In this film, Kong's entire body is covered in scars, in order to give him the appearance of being both old and battle-hardened.

Personality

In all of his appearances, Kong is portrayed as a tragic and sympathetic monster. Kong lives a very solitary and difficult existence, constantly being attacked by the vicious giant creatures that live on his island. Kong rarely attacks unless provoked, and is capable of causing mass destruction due to his size and strength, which causes human beings to fear and attack him. Kong has a soft spot for human women and will do anything to protect a woman that he likes, whether it be battling against another monster or military forces. As a result of his experience in fighting other creatures, Kong displays a degree of strategy in his battles and rarely ends a fight without making sure that his opponent is either dead or incapacitated.

Kong demonstrates at least semi-sapience in all of his film appearances. He frequently utilizes environmental objects while fighting, and learns over the course of a battle. In the King Kong (2005), Kong repeated the sign for "beautiful" to Ann Darrow, who had shown it to him earlier, showing just how intelligent he is.

In Kong: Skull Island, Kong demonstrates a degree of altruism, rescuing a Sker Buffalo that is pinned underneath a downed helicopter, and later rescuing Mason Weaver during his battle with the Skull Devil. The film's official tie-in comic, Skull Island: The Birth of Kong, establishes that Kong actively fights to protect life on the island, as he intervenes on several occasions to defend humans from attacking creatures like Death Jackals, Sirenjaws, and Mother Longlegs. While Kong will kill humans if they are actively attacking him or causing harm to life on the island, he is never aggressive towards innocents or non-hostile individuals. Confident in his noble intentions, Monarch entrusts Kong to defend Skull Island and keep its MUTO ecosystem in check.

Origins

In the original 1933 King Kong film, the movie's 1976 remake, King Kong Lives, and 2005 King Kong remake, Kong is among the last living members of a species of giant ape that lives on the mysterious Skull Island, which is inhabited by other giant creatures as well as a tribe of natives that worship him as a god. Supplementary materials for the 2005 film reveal that incarnation of Kong to be the last surviving member of a species called Megaprimatus kong, and that his kind are likely descended from Gigantopithecus, the largest known primate to have ever lived and a close relative of modern orangutans rather than gorillas.

Kong's backstory is elaborated upon in the 2005 novel Kong: King of Skull Island. According to this novel, Kong is the last surviving member of a species of huge apes known as kongs that once were numerous on Skull Island. While he was still an adolescent, Kong and his parents were attacked by a pack of dinosaurs called Deathrunners and their huge matriarch, Gaw. Kong's mother and father were both brutally killed in the attack, but Kong survived and grew up with an intense hatred for Gaw and all the meat-eating dinosaurs on the island. Eventually, Kong took his revenge by killing Gaw, establishing himself as the undisputed king of Skull Island and the god worshiped by the natives.

Members of Kong's species battling Skullcrawlers in Skull Island: The Birth of Kong

The backstory for the 2005 Kong has been given off-screen by people involved in the making of the film. In an interview with the BBC, director Peter Jackson states that Kong never knew his parents because they were "probably killed by dinosaurs" when he was still young and that he had siblings which were also deceased.[19] In Cinefex #104, Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop explained of the giant gorilla bones in Kong's lair by stating "We decided to give Kong a graveyard of his ancestors. [...] Gorillas do mourn their dead, and this was where Kong mourned the loss of the only thing that he had social interaction with — it could be his father or mother."[20] The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture states that the skull seen among the gorilla remains was Kong's father.[21]

In King Kong vs. Godzilla, Kong instead comes from an island called Faro Island, where he is worshiped by the local natives as their mighty god. In King Kong Escapes, Kong is a legendary giant ape that resides on Mondo Island.

In Kong: Skull Island, Kong is established as the last living member of his species, and still a growing adolescent. Kong's family was wiped out fending off malevolent creatures called Skullcrawlers that threatened all other life on the island. A painting inside the Iwis' temple to Kong depicts what appears to be Kong kneeling in front of the carcasses of his parents, suggesting that he witnessed their deaths. Kong's birth is shown in detail in the official tie-in comic Skull Island: The Birth of Kong. Kong's parents were the last two members of their kind on Skull Island, and when his mother went into labor with him, they were attacked by a pack of giant Skullcrawlers. Kong's father fought the beasts off while his mate delivered their son, and hid the infant away inside a nearby cave. Kong's parents were both subsequently slaughtered by the Skullcrawlers in front of him, and died lying next to each other. The infant Kong knelt in front of their corpses and wept for the parents he never knew, and from that day on used his rage to protect the other creatures of the island from malevolent monsters like the Skullcrawlers.

History

RKO films

The character of King Kong was conceived by Merian C. Cooper, who licensed his idea to RKO Radio Pictures. RKO released King Kong, directed by Cooper, in 1933. The film was a huge success and would later become one of the most famous and influential motion pictures of all time. Its success led to RKO quickly greenlighting a sequel, Son of Kong, which was made by much of the same filmmaking crew and released later the same year. This lower-budgeted sequel was not the success its predecessor was, and another film based on Kong would not be produced until almost three decades later.

King Kong (1933)

Main article: King Kong (RKO).

King Kong was worshiped as a god-like figure by the natives of the remote Skull Island, who were the remnants of a once-great civilization which once ruled the island and built the ruins inside their village and the huge wall surrounding it. To appease Kong, the natives would select a "bride" to sacrifice to him, performing a wedding ritual before tying her to a post just outside the wall where Kong would find and carry her off to the interior of the island. An American film crew led by enterprising director Carl Denham eventually landed on the island to film his latest picture, catching the natives in the midst of a wedding ritual. Though the chief and witch doctor were initially angered by the intrusion, they were struck by the beauty of the crew's leading lady Ann Darrow, believing she would make a perfect offering to Kong. When the crew refused, the natives used canoes to head to their docked ship, the Venture, under cover of nightfall and abduct Ann. Ann was offered to Kong, who emerged from the jungle to claim his new bride. The Venture crew pursued the giant ape in an attempt to rescue Ann, but were forced to contend with the other monstrous prehistoric beasts inhabiting the island. Hearing the crew continuing to pursue him, Kong set Ann down in a tree before confronting them as they tried to cross a chasm on a falling log. Kong twisted the log and caused all of the crew members to fall to their deaths in the pit below, save for Denham and Venture first mate Jack Driscoll. A huge meat-eating dinosaur attempted to prey on Ann while Kong was away, but Kong returned just in time to fight the beast, killing it by breaking its jaws. Kong brought Ann to his mountain lair, where he was attacked by an Elasmosaurus and later a Pteranodon. During Kong's battle with the latter creature, Jack rescued Ann and escaped with her back to the native village. After dispatching the pterosaur, Kong pursued the two to the village, tearing down the gate in a blind frenzy and rampaging through the village before being subdued by a gas bomb thrown by Denham. Denham brought Kong to New York City to be displayed on Broadway, but he escaped from his chrome steel bindings and escaped, tearing through the city before finding and abducting Ann once again. After destroying a train, Kong scaled the Empire State Building, where he was met by a squadron of Curtiss F8C Helldiver biplanes. The planes' gunfire mortally wounded Kong, who fell from the building's summit to his death on the street below. As crowds gathered around Kong's bloodied carcass, Denham somberly remarked that "It was Beauty killed the Beast."

Son of Kong

Main article: Kiko.

Beset by lawsuits and facing criminal charges for the damage wrought by Kong, Denham fled New York City aboard the Venture once again with Captain Englehorn and the ship's loyal cook Charlie. Following a mutiny by the new crew, the trio ended up on Skull Island once again, accompanied by disgraced Captain Nils Helstrom and stowaway Hilda Petersen. There, they encountered Kong's friendly albino son Kiko, rescuing him from a pit of quicksand. Grateful for Denham's help, Kiko defended him and Hilda from a giant cave bear and a dragon and helped them recover the island's hidden treasure. When an earthquake struck the island and caused it to begin sinking into the ocean, Kiko sacrificed his life to save Denham.

Toho films

Willis O'Brien, famed stop-motion animator on the original King Kong, conceived of a story pitting Kong against a giant humanoid creature created from assembled African animal body parts and built by Dr. Frankenstein's grandson. O'Brien contacted independent producer John Beck to help him pitch the story to studios, with Japanese studio Toho ultimately being interested. However, Toho preferred to replace the giant Frankenstein creature as Kong's foe with their own monster, Godzilla, currently on hiatus following the release of Godzilla Raids Again in 1955. Toho negotiated with RKO for the rights to Kong and produced King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1962, though O'Brien was cut out of the deal completely and received no notice or compensation. The film was wildly successful both in Japan and abroad, inspiring the development of an animated series featuring Kong co-produced by Rankin/Bass and Toei Animation. Toho was contacted once again to produce a live action film adaptation of the cartoon, with its initial attempt tentatively titled Operation Robinson Crusoe: King Kong vs. Ebirah. When Rankin/Bass rejected this story, it was repackaged as the Godzilla film Ebirah, Horror of the Deep, with Toho instead producing the more faithful film King Kong Escapes in 1967. Though Toho's rights to the character expired after the release of this film, it used the Kong suit created for the film as the monster Gorilla in the 1974 television series Go! Greenman.

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Main article: King Kong (King Kong vs. Godzilla).
King Kong and Godzilla destroy Atami Castle during their battle in King Kong vs. Godzilla

During his travels in the Solomon Islands, pharmacologist Dr. Makioka discovered a red narcotic berry called Farolacton on the remote Faro Island. Upon returning to his employers at the Pacific Pharmaceutical Company in Japan, he also reported that the island's natives spoke of a "Giant Demon God." Advertising director Tako believed this mysterious god was a great way to generate publicity for the company and sent two Tokyo Television employees, Osamu Sakurai and Kinzaburo Furue, to the island to find it. The Giant Demon God, a huge ape known as King Kong, revealed himself when he burst through the wall separating the native village from the rest of the island to fend off an attacking Giant Octopus. After sending the huge cephalopod retreating back to the sea, Kong drank jars of the Farolacton juice and fell asleep to the sound of the islanders' rhythmic prayer. Sakurai and Furue arranged for Kong to be transported to Japan aboard a raft, with Tako excitedly arriving on the ship towing it during Kong's transport. However, the Japan Coast Guard arrived and warned that the company was illegally smuggling Kong into Japanese waters and would be held liable for any damage he caused. Kong began to awaken, after which the dynamite wired to the raft was detonated. It failed to harm Kong, who immediately swam to Japan and came ashore. He ran amok until he encountered the recently-awakened Godzilla. Kong threw boulders at his foe, who retaliated by firing his atomic breath at the surrounding forest. Burned by the radioactive flames, Kong retreated. Godzilla was eventually repelled from entering Tokyo by a barricade of high-tension wires carrying one million volts of electricity, but Kong arrived later and simply bit down on the power lines, drawing strength from the electrical current. Kong then rampaged through Tokyo, during which he abducted Sakurai's sister Fumiko and scaled the National Diet Building. Shells loaded with Farolacton juice were fired into the sky and detonated above Kong, accompanied by loudspeakers playing the Faro Islanders' chant. Kong collapsed and fell unconscious, with Fumiko being rescued from his clutches. The JSDF decided to airlift Kong to Mount Fuji, where Godzilla had traveled, in order to stage a rematch between both kaiju in the hope they would kill each other. Kong was lifted by balloons pulled by several helicopters and dropped onto Godzilla. The two monsters resumed their battle, but Godzilla triumphed yet again, knocking Kong unconscious and setting the area around him ablaze. A passing overhead lightning storm revitalized Kong, who used his electrified punches to even the odds. Kong and Godzilla's clash reached Atami Castle, and after the two beasts destroyed it they tackled each other into Sagami Bay. Moments later, Kong surfaced from the water and began swimming back to his island home, with Godzilla nowhere to be seen.

King Kong Escapes

Main article: King Kong (King Kong Escapes).

A legendary giant ape held to inhabit Mondo Island in the Java Sea, Kong was the subject of study by United Nations Commander Carl Nelson, who prepared several anatomical sketches of the mythical beast. International criminal Dr. Who stole Nelson's sketches and used them as blueprints for a robot built in Kong's image called Mechani-Kong, designed to mine the radioactive Element X from the North Pole. Nelson, Lt. Commander Jiro Nomura, and Lieutenant Susan Watson came ashore on Mondo Island after their research submarine Explorer was damaged in the nearby waters and had to anchor for repairs. When Gorosaurus menaced Susan, Kong came to her aid and slew the dinosaur monster by breaking his jaws. Kong became infatuated with Susan, saving her and her colleagues once again from a Giant Sea Serpent as they tried to return to the Explorer. When Dr. Who learned of the real Kong's discovery, he decided to abduct him in order to mine Element X in place of his robot, which could not withstand the intense radiation. Who sent several Jet Helicopters to knock Kong unconscious and airlift him to his Arctic base, then captured Nelson, Nomura, and Susan in order to make them get Kong to cooperate. Kong escaped from Who's base and began swimming to Japan, with Who pursuing him in his ship. Nelson and his allies arrived in Tokyo to warn the JSDF not to attack Kong, but Dr. Who deployed Mechani-Kong into the city to recapture him. When the robot could not defeat Kong in one-on-one combat, it abducted Susan and scaled the Tokyo Tower. Who threatened to drop Susan if Kong did not surrender, but he continued pursuing them up the tower. Kong caught Susan once the robot dropped her, then continued after his robotic double. Madame Piranha, formerly Dr. Who's financial benefactor, turned on him and gave her life to disable the robot's controls, after which the top of the tower broke off and sent Mechani-Kong plummeting to its destruction on the streets below. Kong chased down Who's ship in Tokyo Bay and destroyed it, killing Who in the process, then began making his way home to Mondo Island.

The King Kong Show

King Kong in The King Kong Show

In 1966, Rankin/Bass acquired the rights to Kong from RKO and collaborated with Japanese animation studio Toei Animation to develop an animated TV series based on the character. The show, originally airing as just King Kong but widely known as The King Kong Show, ran from 1966 to 1967, and formed the basis for Toho's 1967 film King Kong Escapes. It followed the Bond family, who befriended Kong on his home of Mondo Island and worked with him to battle multiple monsters and villains who threatened both the island and the world at large.

De Laurentiis films

In the 1970s, RKO entered a contract with Italian-American movie producer Dino De Laurentiis and Paramount Pictures allowing them to produce and distribute a remake of the original King Kong, a pivot from RKO's "no remakes" policy that had blocked studios such as Britain's Hammer Films from producing remakes of the film in the past. Universal Pictures, who had previously handled the King Kong copyright on RKO's behalf, objected to this announcement, alleging that it already had secured the remake rights to King Kong through an oral agreement with RKO. All parties were brought to federal court to settle the matter, with both De Laurentiis and Universal fast-tracking their remakes into production in the hope of the other backing down. When the case was settled and the federal judge ruled that De Laurentiis had the right to proceed with its remake, Universal shelved The Legend of King Kong, content with acquiring the character rights to Kong from Merian C. Cooper's son Richard for future use. De Laurentiis' King Kong was released theatrically by Paramount in late 1976, and despite mixed audience and critical reception was a financial success. De Laurentiis produced a much less successful sequel, King Kong Lives, a decade later.

King Kong (1976) to King Kong Lives

Main article: King Kong (De Laurentiis).
King Kong frees himself from his bindings in King Kong (1976)

After satellite imaging revealed images of a previously-uncharted island hidden in a perpetual fog bank, ambitious Petrox executive Fred Wilson convinced the company's board to approve an expedition to the island to search for vast petroleum reserves he believed were hidden there. Princeton University primatologist Jack Prescott stowed away aboard the Petrox Explorer, believing that the island was home to a gigantic undiscovered species of anthropoid spoken of only in legends and accounts by explorers. Along the voyage, the Explorer rescued a castaway named Dwan. Wilson, Prescott, Dwan, and much of the crew came ashore once they reached the island, discovering a native village in the shadow of a massive wall. Prescott believed that the natives were holding a sort of wedding ceremony, preparing to sacrifice a young woman to the mythical ape god on the other side of the wall. The priest presiding over the ceremony was angry at the outsiders for interrupting the ceremony, but upon seeing Dwan he attempted to bargain for her in order to sacrifice her to Kong instead. When the crew did not comply, the natives followed them back to the Explorer and abducted Dwan, drugging her and tying her to a post just outside the wall. The natives' god, a 50-foot ape called Kong, approached the wall and grabbed Dwan before slipping back into the jungle. While Dwan initially assumed Kong meant to eat her, she soon began to sympathize with him after it was clear he meant her no harm. Prescott led several of the crew members into the jungle in pursuit, but Kong cut them off at a log spanning a chasm, throwing the log into the pit below. Only Prescott and another crew member, Boan, survived, with Boan heading back to the village and Prescott continuing his pursuit. Prescott reached Kong's mountain lair, where the ape was attacked by a colossal boa constrictor. Using this opportunity, Prescott retrieved Dwan and escaped back to the village. Filled with rage, Kong snapped the snake's jaws and chased them back to the village, where Wilson had set a trap. Once Kong broke through the gate, he fell into a pit filled with chloroform, rendering him unconscious. With the oil deposits on the island worthless, Wilson decided to bring Kong back to New York City as a publicity stunt for Petrox. Kong was kept in the cargo hold of an oil tanker and fed with tons of fruit. As the beast grew restless and began pounding on the walls of his prison, Dwan tried to calm him only to fall into the hold. Kong rescued her and let her climb back above deck. While Kong was being exhibited in New York, he became furious as he saw photographers aggressively taking pictures of Dwan. He broke free of his steel restraints and began to rampage, trampling several fleeing people in the crowd, including Wilson. Jack rescued Dwan and the two tried to escape to Manhattan, but Kong swam across the Hudson River and abducted Dwan from a bar. Noticing the resemblance between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and Kong's mountain lair, Prescott advised the military to let Kong climb them where he could be safely caught by helicopters carrying metal nets. The military followed his advice, but had no intention of capturing Kong alive. Once Kong reached the top of the South Tower, he was attacked by a group of flamethrower-wielding soldiers. He leapt to the North Tower and threw a fuel tank at the soldiers, which exploded and killed them. The military next sent in a detachment of UH-1 Iroquois choppers armed with machine guns. Dwan begged Kong not to set her down or else they would kill him, but he opted to keep her out of harm's way and put her down. The choppers opened fire, riddling Kong with bullets and causing him to bleed profusely. Despite taking down two choppers, Kong finally succumbed to his wounds and fell off of the North Tower into the plaza below. Dwan made her way to Kong, then wept as his heart stopped beating.

King Kong with Lady Kong in King Kong Lives

Placed into a coma by his fall rather than killed, Kong was sent to the Atlantic Institute and cared for by Dr. Amy Franklin for a period of 10 years. The institute planned to revive Kong by transplanting a mechanical heart into his body, but Dr. Franklin warned that he would need a large infusion of blood from a compatible donor to survive the procedure. Fortunately, explorer Hank Mitchell discovered a female member of Kong's species in Borneo, which was brought to the United States and dubbed Lady Kong. Using a blood donation from the female, Dr. Franklin was able to complete Kong's surgery and successfully revive him. However, Kong heard the cries of the captured Lady Kong and broke out of the institute to rescue her. The two giant apes escaped into the wilderness together, where they mated. The Army sent in Lt. Col. Archie Nevitt to find both apes, seemingly killing Kong and capturing his mate. Franklin and Mitchell later learned that not only was Lady Kong pregnant with Kong's child, but that Kong had survived the attack, though his artificial heart was now failing. They freed Lady Kong from her holding cell, and she made her way to a barn and went into labor. Nevitt stationed infantry and tanks to meet Kong when he arrived, and after a grueling battle Kong managed to destroy the Army's forces and kill Nevitt. With the failure of his heart accelerated by the wounds he sustained, Kong collapsed next to his mate just after she gave birth. Lady Kong showed Kong their infant son, causing Kong to smile proudly before finally dying peacefully, content that his family was safe. Lady Kong and her son were then transported back to Borneo to live in peace together.

The Mighty Kong

Utilizing the public domain status of the 1932 novelization of the original King Kong, multiple studios co-produced an animated musical adaptation of the story in 1998. While primarily an adaptation of the novelization's story, it incorporates some elements from the 1976 remake as well, and features a more lighthearted ending than previous adaptations.

Filmmaker C.B. Denham organized a voyage to the mysterious Skull Island aboard the Java Queen in order to film his next picture on location. When the ship arrived, the local native tribe abducted leading lady Ann Darrow in order to sacrifice her to their god, the giant ape known as Kong. First mate Jack Driscoll led several of the crew members into the jungle to rescue Ann, encountering a host of prehistoric beasts. Ann began to sympathize with Kong after realizing he was actually gentle and friendly and meant her no harm. After Kong protected Ann from a Tyrannosaurus rex, several Pteranodons, and a giant snake, Driscoll rescued her and escaped back to the native village. When Kong gave chase, Denham used gas bombs to knock Kong unconscious, intending to bring him back to New York City as his next production. Kong escaped while being exhibited on Broadway, grabbing Ann once again and climbing to the top of the Empire State Building. Denham proposed capturing Kong with a giant net held between two blimps, but his weight caused the net to tear, sending him falling to the street below. However, Kong managed to survive the fall, with Denham planning to relocate him to a new island where he could live in peace.

BKN International productions

With Universal Pictures' planned King Kong remake on indefinite hold and Godzilla: The Series airing on television in the late 1990s, BKN International capitalized on demand for a new adaptation of Kong and produced Kong: The Animated Series from 2000 to 2001. The series follows a clone of Kong created by Dr. Lorna Jenkins after his death in New York City. The cloned Kong, working together with Lorna's grandson Jason and his friends, fights to prevent the evil Dr. Ramone De La Porta from acquiring the Primal Stones of Kong Island and using them to conquer the world. The show ran for a total of 40 episodes over two seasons. With Universal's King Kong set for release in 2005, BKN capitalized by reuniting the cast and crew for a direct-to-video film based on the TV series titled Kong: King of Atlantis. A second direct-to-video film, Kong: Return to the Jungle, was released the following year around the same time as the extended cut of Peter Jackson's King Kong.

Kong: The Animated Series to Kong: Return to the Jungle

Decades after Kong fell to his death from the Empire State Building, Dr. Lorna Jenkins recovered a sample of his DNA and used it to create a clone of him. The clone was relocated to the original Kong's home of Kong Island in order to defend it and the legendary Primal Stones it housed. Kong joined forces with Lorna's grandson Jason, his friend Eric Tannenbaum IV, and the native girl Lua to stop the mad scientist Dr. Ramone De La Porta from recovering the Primal Stones and using them to awaken the legendary demon known as Chiros.

Universal film

Universal planned to produce a remake of the original King Kong titled The Legend of King Kong in the 1970s, going so far as to bring RKO Pictures and Paramount Pictures to court over the remake rights to the original film. Though a federal judge ruled that Dino De Laurentiis' remake could proceed, RKO lost any ownership of the King Kong character, which reverted to the estate of his original creator, Merian C. Cooper. Cooper's son Richard sold most of his rights to Universal, who waited until the late 1990s to begin development on a new King Kong remake. The studio approached Peter Jackson to direct and write the film in 1996, but this initial attempt was abruptly canceled the next year. Universal later reapproached Jackson while he was directing the highly successful The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and offered him the chance to direct King Kong again. This attempt materialized in the 2005 film King Kong. While Universal had considered a sequel to the film titled Skull Island at one point, any plans were abandoned once Kong was extensively incorporated into Legendary Pictures' Monsterverse.

King Kong (2005)

Main article: King Kong (Universal).
King Kong prepares to battle a Vastatosaurus rex in order to protect Ann Darrow in King Kong (2005)

In 1933, struggling film director Carl Denham organized an expedition to the uncharted Skull Island aboard the Venture in order to film his next picture. When the ship arrived on the island, Denham and several of the crew members came ashore and found the ruins of a once great civilization, now inhabited by a derelict tribe. The natives savagely attacked the crew, who managed to escape through the use of firearms. However, the natives made their way to the anchored Venture and abducted leading lady Ann Darrow, bringing her back to the village to sacrifice her to their god: the giant ape known as Kong. Kong accepted the offering and carried Ann into the jungle. When the Venture crew tried to pursue Kong, he intercepted them as they tried to cross a log bridge spanning a chasm, sending them all falling into the pit below, where they were beset by the creatures dwelling there. Ann tried to escape from Kong while he was distracted, but was menaced by a family of Vastatosaurus rexes. Kong came to her rescue and slew all three dinosaurs, earning Ann's trust and admiration. Screenwriter Jack Driscoll, having survived the pit, continued his pursuit of Ann and reached Kong's mountain lair. Jack escaped with Ann while Kong battled a swarm of Terapusmordax and brought her back to the native village. Kong followed them and broke through the village's wall and through a sea cave before being subdued and knocked unconscious by the Venture crew. Denham had Kong brought back to New York City to be exhibited on Broadway, but the enraged giant ape escaped his bonds and began rampaging through Manhattan. In order to calm the beast, Ann approached Kong and allowed herself to be taken by him again. The military attacked Kong with artillery in Central Park, leading him to escape by climbing the Empire State Building. Biplanes were sent to engage Kong, and riddled him with machine gun fire until he was mortally wounded and plummeted to his death in the streets below. As crowds gathered around Kong's carcass, Denham somberly remarked "It was Beauty killed the Beast."

Kong: King of the Apes

In 2016, 41 Entertainment and Arad Animation co-produced a CG animated TV series featuring Kong titled Kong: King of the Apes, which streamed exclusively on Netflix.

The infant Kong, who, at the time of his discovery, was thought to be the last great ape alive in the wild, was taken from his home by poachers and was able to use his abnormal strength to escape their helicopter and find his way into the California redwood forests where he was discovered by Lukas Remy, who treated Kong like a brother. The two were later framed for terrorism by Lucas' brother Richard Remy, a mad scientist responsible for creating an army of robotic dinosaurs called Biono-bots. Kong worked together with Lukas and his friends to battle the various Biono-bots and thwart Richard's schemes.

Monsterverse

In 2014, Legendary Pictures entered a distribution deal with Universal after concluding its previous deal with Warner Bros. One of the first projects they announced was an origin story for King Kong titled Skull Island and set for release in 2016. Following the success of Legendary's Godzilla in 2014, Legendary decided to retool the Kong film, retitled Kong: Skull Island, to take place within the same universe as that film and enable a future rematch between Godzilla and Kong. For this reason, the project switched distributors from Universal to Warner Bros., and was released in 2017. Kong: Skull Island became the second entry in a cinematic universe officially dubbed the Monsterverse, with Kong returning in the crossover film Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021. The animated series Skull Island, focusing on Kong, premiered on Netflix in 2023. A fifth film in the Monsterverse, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, is currently in post-production. Outside of Kong's film appearances, he appears in two comics set in the Monsterverse as well: Skull Island: The Birth of Kong and Kingdom Kong.

Kong: Skull Island to Godzilla vs. Kong

Main article: King Kong (Monsterverse).

Many thousands of years ago, Kong's species were a race of Titans who inhabited the Hollow Earth and lived alongside humans in a great civilization. They eventually went to war with Godzilla and his kind, ultimately being driven from their home and forced to relocate to Skull Island. There, they found a new enemy in the vicious Skullcrawlers, who whittled their numbers down over centuries of conflict. By the time the Iwi, remnants of the human civilization which once inhabited the Hollow Earth, arrived on Skull Island, only a single mated pair of Kongs remained. The female was pregnant, and went into labor as she and her mate were beset by a pack of Skullcrawlers. The male defended the female long enough for her to deliver their son, Kong. Knowing her demise was imminent, Kong's mother sealed her son in a cave, where he could only watch helplessly as the Skullcrawlers slaughtered his parents, who died clasping their hands together. When the battle was over, the newborn Kong crawled from his sanctuary and knelt next to the bodies of the parents he never knew, weeping. From that day, Kong vowed to avenge his parents and honor their memory by defending the other denizens of the island from the Skullcrawlers and the other more malevolent creatures inhabiting it. In 1944, World War II fighter pilots Hank Marlow and Gunpei Ikari shot each other down over Skull Island and resumed their duel, only to be interrupted by the appearance of Kong. They were welcomed by the Iwi, who lived under Kong's protection, and became close friends, until a Skullcrawler killed Gunpei. In 1973, the Titan-hunting scientific organization Monarch sent an expedition to Skull Island to test Bill Randa's theory that it was an emergence point for the Hollow Earth Titan ecosystem. Recognizing that the expedition's seismic charges would draw more Skullcrawlers to the surface, Kong brought down their helicopter transport and stranded them on the island. Colonel Preston Packard, leader of the Army helicopter squadron transporting the expedition, became obsessed with avenging his fallen comrades by killing Kong. Some of the survivors encountered Marlow and the Iwi, and learned of Kong's true purpose and benevolent nature. They interfered with the deranged Packard's attempt to kill Kong using an explosive trap, but the colossal 95-foot Skullcrawler known as the Skull Devil soon appeared to take advantage of Kong's weakened state. Kong killed Packard before the Skull Devil attacked him, but the creature's attention was drawn by the fleeing humans. As the humans tried to escape the island via an extraction point on the north side, the Skull Devil menaced them before Kong arrived to save them. When the Skull Devil overpowered Kong, the humans drew its attention so that Kong could recover. Using an improvised mace created by an anchor chain tied to a ship propeller, Kong turned the tide against his mortal enemy, eventually killing it by tearing out its innards. The humans escaped, keeping the experience a secret to everyone but members of Monarch.

In 1995, Aaron Brooks, son of two of the 1973 Monarch expedition members, organized an off-the-books return mission to Skull Island to evaluate the security of the ecosystem, believing Kong could not be trusted to keep it in check. This expedition too became stranded after a Psychovulture attack, but Kong rescued them from a pack of Death Jackals. The team was taken in by the Iwi, who educated them about Kong's purpose and past. One of the expedition members, Walter R. Riccio, was driven insane by consuming the Iwi's ceremonial hallucinogenic brew and used remaining seismic charges from 1973 to blow open the wall of the Iwi village, allowing several Mother Longlegs to enter. Kong came to the rescue and swiftly dispatched the giant arachnids, then killed Riccio after determining he was responsible for their incursion. Brooks, by now the only surviving expedition member, accepted Kong's role as protector and decided to stay among the Iwi and help them rebuild after the attack.

By 2019, Monarch had formally established a research station, Outpost 33, on Skull Island to monitor Kong. When the ecoterrorist Alan Jonah and rogue Monarch operative Emma Russell unleashed the dreaded King Ghidorah from his Antarctic prison in an ill-advised attempt to reawaken all Titans and restore the natural order, the three-headed alien Titan emitted an alpha call that reached the ears of every living Titan on Earth, awake or dormant. Kong rejected Ghidorah's summons to join his reign of terror, one of only three known Titans to oppose it. However, Ghidorah's call awakened the Skullcrawlers still dormant under the island's surface, forcing Kong to battle them. While Kong triumphed, a powerful storm that Ghidorah had generated over the ocean began approaching Skull Island. By 2021, Aaron Brooks' father Dr. Houston Brooks was leading efforts on Skull Island to lead an expedition into the Hollow Earth through a entrance on the island dubbed the "vile vortex." The storm generated by Ghidorah eventually merged with the perpetual storm cell surrounding the island, creating an uncontrollable superstorm that plunged the island into permanent darkness. This turned out to be the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy; with the island blanketed in darkness, the evil bat-like Titan known as Camazotz flew from the Hollow Earth with his hell swarm in a bid to kill Kong and usurp his position as an alpha Titan. Kong was forced into battle with Camazotz, but was outmatched until a squadron of G-Team fighter pilots intervened. With their help, Kong overpowered Camazotz and banished him back to the dark recesses of the Hollow Earth from whence he came. With the storm unrelenting, Monarch evacuated any of the Iwi as it could, though many refused to leave the island and promptly vanished.

Kong wields his battle axe, charged by Godzilla's atomic breath, against Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong

Kong befriended a young Iwi girl named Jia after her parents were killed by a Sirenjaw, forming a protective bond with her. By 2024, Monarch built a huge dome replicating Skull Island's original climate to house Kong, but it was clear it would not be able to hold him much longer. Dr. Ilene Andrews opposed suggestions to move Kong off the island, believing Godzilla, by now the undisputed alpha Titan, would come for him. However, Godzilla had recently begun attacking Apex Cybernetics facilities seemingly unprompted, leading Monarch to agree to lead a joint expedition with Apex into the Hollow Earth in order to recover an energy source capable of powering an anti-Godzilla weapon. Kong was to help locate the energy source, using his species' genetic memory. While Kong was being transported by a naval fleet in the Tasman Sea, Godzilla arrived to attack him. Godzilla destroyed much of the fleet and nearly drowned Kong before he was disoriented by depth charges. Deeming Kong to no longer be a threat, Godzilla withdrew, while Kong was airlifted to the Hollow Earth entrance in Antarctica. Escorted by two HEAVs, Kong reached the Hollow Earth and was immediately forced to battle two Warbats. Kong came upon an ancient temple dedicated to his ancestors, discovering a huge battle axe inside a giant throne room. Apex located and copied the energy source to power its artificial Titan, Mechagodzilla, drawing Godzilla to Apex HQ in Hong Kong. Godzilla used his atomic breath to blast into the temple and bellow his challenge at Kong, who climbed through the opening and into the city, axe in hand. The two Titans engaged in a rematch, with Kong utilizing his axe to even the odds. While Kong held his own and managed to land several punishing blows on his foe, he was ultimately overpowered by Godzilla and left on the brink of death. In the meantime, the Hollow Earth energy source had caused Mechagodzilla to go berserk due to its the use of King Ghidorah's surviving skull as a neural processor. Mechagodzilla broke free of the Apex facility and stormed into Hong Kong, rampaging before attempting to kill Godzilla. Dr. Nathan Lind used a HEAV as a defibrillator to revive Kong, with Jia convincing him to help Godzilla against Mechagodzilla. Kong leapt to Godzilla's aid, and the two former enemies joined forces against the robotic Titan. Mechagodzilla nearly killed Kong using the spinning blades on the end of its tail, but the intervention of a group of humans stalled the machine long enough for Godzilla to power Kong's axe with his atomic breath. Kong proceeded to slice Mechagodzilla apart before tearing off its head. Godzilla and Kong ended their conflict and went their separate ways. Kong was relocated to his ancestral home in the Hollow Earth, where he made his new home.

Supporting roles in Warner Bros. films

Due to its ownership of the original 1933 film as a result of acquiring RKO's film library in its acquisition of Turner Entertainment, Warner Bros. has featured Kong in supporting roles in its own films, which typically include ensemble casts of other popular characters either owned or licensed by Warner Bros.

The LEGO Batman Movie

King Kong was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone along with other notorious villains of the LEGO multiverse. He was one of the villains freed by the Joker as part of his plan to exact revenge on Batman and destroy Gotham City. Kong was defeated when Robin crashed the Batmobile into his face, knocking him unconscious into the water.

Ready Player One

James Halliday, the creator of a popular virtual reality game called the OASIS, devised a series of challenges called Anorak's Quest to determine his successor after his death. In the first challenge, players raced through the streets of a simulated New York City, evading various obstacles. King Kong was the final hazard, leaping off the Empire State Building to attack the racers. Just before the finish line, Kong would crash through the racetrack itself and lurk out of sight, swatting any player who tried to drive over him. It is possible that Halliday programmed Kong to be impassible; the solution that Wade Watts discovered was to drive in reverse at the start of the race, revealing a hidden corridor that ran underneath the racetrack.

Space Jam: A New Legacy

As a resident of the virtual Serververse where Warner Bros. properties reside, King Kong attended the high-stakes basketball match between teams led by LeBron James and his son Dom. He pouted when the malevolent artificial intelligence Al-G assumed control of Dom's team and boasted, "King Kong ain't got nothing on me." When the Toon-Squad eventually won the basketball match, King Kong gave a fist bump to the Iron Giant.

Abilities

Physical abilities

In all of his film appearances, King Kong displays immense physical strength. Kong can fight toe-to-toe with various giant creatures, such as dinosaurs and giant snakes, and come out on top. Kong exhibits impressive agility, as he can jump over great distances (such as the 250 meters between the World Trade Center's Twin Towers) and land on his feet. Kong also demonstrates durability when he continued fighting against airplanes (helicopters in the 1976 version) and even destroy some of them after being riddled with bullets. In the 1976 film, Kong survives getting shredded by machine-gun fire and falling from the top of the South Tower of the World Trade Center before falling into a coma. In Kong: Skull Island, Kong is even more resilient and shows complete resistance to any gunfire. Kong even withstands being lit on fire after swimming through a lake filled with napalm, although it weakens him and causes him to pass out.

Kong is also remarkably intelligent. He makes use of environmental objects like trees or rocks when fighting, and even when overwhelmed by more powerful or more numerous opponents he can think on his feet and find a way to win. In the 2005 film, Kong demonstrated the ability to understand and use sign language to Ann.

In both of his Toho incarnations, King Kong is an extremely capable melee combatant, using his large arms, powerful muscles, and mighty fists to strike fear in foes such as Gorosaurus, the Giant Octopus, and even Godzilla himself. In his first incarnation in King Kong vs. Godzilla, the mighty primate cannot be harmed by electrical currents, and instead, feeds on their power in order to revitalize or awaken him from a state of unconsciousness. He can also use those same electrical currents, whether they are man-made or natural, to allow him to release surges of electricity from his hands, a powerful tool against Godzilla. The second incarnation of the Toho Kong who appeared in King Kong Escapes lacked these abilities but instead was immune to the radioactive Element X.

King Kong appears to be particularly resistant to Godzilla's atomic breath. He is hit by it multiple times throughout King Kong vs. Godzilla, and usually suffers little more than having some of his fur singed.

Attractions

Video games

Konami Wai Wai World

Age: 8 years old
Blood type: O
Height: 250 centimeters
Weight: 1.5 metric tons

King Kong, simply called Kong here, is imprisoned in the game's fifth stage, City Stage. After freeing him, Kong becomes a playable character. His power-up item(s) are bunches of throwable bananas.

Tabletop games

Books and short stories

Monsterverse tie-ins

All of the Monsterverse films received novelizations, with Godzilla: King of the Monsters - The Official Movie Novelization adding a scene in which Kong prepares to defend Skull Island against an onslaught of Skullcrawlers provoked by Ghidorah's call. Kong also appeared in two kid-friendly tie-ins to Godzilla vs. Kong. He explores Skull Island with the Iwi girl Jia in Kong and Me and travels the world with Godzilla to demonstrate key tenets of friendship in Godzilla vs. Kong: Sometimes Friends Fight (But They Always Make Up).

Comics

Gallery

Main article: King Kong/Gallery.

Roar

In the original 1933 film, King Kong's roar was adapted from tiger and lion roars and altered in pitch.

King Kong's roar in the two Toho films was later reused for King Caesar, Sanda, Gaira, Daigoro, and Manda in Godzilla Singular Point.

In the 1976 remake, King Kong's roars are primarily derived from stock roars dating back to the 1957 films The Land Unknown and The Deadly Mantis, with additional vocalizations provided by an uncredited Peter Cullen. The stock roars would go on to be used in countless other monster movies, and were even used for Toto in Gamera the Brave 30 years later.

In the 2005 remake, Kong's motion-capture actor Andy Serkis provided vocalizations for Kong that were then lowered in pitch to match those of a real gorilla, and then mixed with various other animal sounds.

Kong's roars in Kong: Skull Island were created by sound designer Al Nelson and adapted from the sounds of lions, gorillas, and monkeys. The use of lion roars was inspired by how sound editor Murray Spivak created Kong's roars in the original film. In Godzilla vs. Kong, Kong's roars were created by Erik Aadahl and were adapted from lions, leopards, bears, tigers, gorillas, boars and elephants.[citation needed]

King Kong's roars in the 1933 film
King Kong's roars in the Showa series
King Kong's roars in the 1976 film
King Kong's roars in the 1986 Universal Studios King Kong Encounter attraction
King Kong's roars and sound effects in the 2005 film
King Kong's roars and sound effects throughout the Monsterverse

Trivia

  • King Kong was Godzilla's first opponent in a color film.
  • King Kong was the first American-made monster to fight Godzilla in a film, the second being Zilla, and the third being the MUTOs.
  • King Kong's relatively small size outside of the Toho and Monsterverse films fits with the scientific understanding of the square–cube law, in which large animals have a low surface area, and therefore are less efficient at processes such as gas exchange, placing an upper limit on their size. King Kong's size in the 1933 film is close to the largest size a terrestrial animal can be under the currently understood constraints.
  • According to an interview with Ishiro Honda, an early draft for the 1968 film Destroy All Monsters called for "all monsters" to appear. It is possible that Kong was to be among them, but this remains unconfirmed.
  • Toho had planned to feature Kong in the Heisei series of Godzilla films in a remake of King Kong vs. Godzilla titled Godzilla vs. King Kong. According to designer Shinji Nishikawa [24], the film would have Kong fall in love with a scientist who eventually converts him into a cyborg. Turner Entertainment, by then the copyright owners of the original 1933 film, requested payment from Toho for the rights to use the character, and the film was ultimately scrapped. Toho later considered several projects pitting Godzilla against Kong's mechanical doppelgänger, Mechani-Kong, but these films never came to pass either.
  • Kong is one of the many kaiju who share the word "King" in their names. Other examples are King Ghidorah, King Caesar, Red King, Black King, Gold King, Jumbo King, Grand King, Five King, Live King, Eleking, King Joe, King of Mons and Kingsaurus III, as well as Godzilla and Geronimon, who are given the titles "the King of the Monsters" and "the King of All Monsters", respectively.
  • In the Toho films, Kong is much taller than the original King Kong, who was said to stand at 50 feet tall in the original 1933 film. Kong is approximately 145 feet tall in King Kong vs. Godzilla, and 60 feet tall in King Kong Escapes.
  • Toho's King Kong was the basis for the American/Japanese anime TV series The King Kong Show. Toho was not involved in its development, though they later collaborated with the show's makers, Rankin/Bass Productions, to produce the film King Kong Escapes, which adapted several elements from the series.
  • The 1962 King Kong suit would later be loaned to Tsuburaya Productions for the second episode of Ultra Q where he was given more pronounced eyebrows, a tail, and more visible ears, to portray the massive monkey Goro.
  • A popular urban legend claims that two different endings were shot for the Japanese and American versions of King Kong vs. Godzilla, with Kong winning in the American version and Godzilla winning in the original Japanese version. However, this rumor is certifiably false, as both versions end with only Kong emerging from the ocean, and Godzilla nowhere to be seen. Both Toho's 1963 international sales booklet and the company's official English-language site state that Kong was the victor,[25][26]while producer Tomoyuki Tanaka declared the outcome a draw in his 1984 book Definitive Edition Godzilla Introduction. Regardless, there is no version of the film in which Godzilla defeats Kong.
  • King Kong's roars from the Toho films have been used for many other kaiju, particularly in the Ultra Series. Gudon, a kaiju from Return of Ultraman and King Caesar are among the best known of these examples. Some of the stock roars used by Kong in the 1976 film were later used for Toto in Gamera the Brave.
  • Some of the German releases of the Showa era films changed the names of various unrelated characters to King Kong. For instance, both Jet Jaguar from Godzilla vs. Megalon and Mechagodzilla are called King Kong in the German dubs. However, unlike what many people believe, they are not stated to actually be the real King Kong wearing robot suits or confused with Mechani-Kong. The name "King Kong" carried great marquee value, and this is likely the reason why the German distributors changed the names around.
  • There were two known unlicensed Japanese King Kong films produced in the 1930s, Japanese King Kong and The King Kong that Appeared in Edo. They are notable for being two of the first-ever tokusatsu/kaiju films ever made, predating Godzilla by two decades. Unfortunately, all prints of both of these films are believed to be lost and very few records of their existence remain. Kong's name also influenced the first kaiju television series, Marine Kong, although the titular monster was a robot dinosaur.
  • Shunsuke Fujita, the producer of the PlayStation 3 and 4 Godzilla game, stated in an interview that the developers and he "definitely wanted" to include King Kong in the game, but were unable to due to licensing issues.[27]
  • Kong is killed or seemingly killed at the end of the majority of his live action film appearances, with the two Toho films (King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes) and his two Monsterverse appearances (Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla vs. Kong) being the only exceptions.
  • While Kong is only mentioned in dialogue and shown through stock footage in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, he is included in a piece of concept art featured in The Art of Godzilla: King of the Monsters[28] depicting the film's final scene as one of the kaiju surrounding Godzilla.
  • In the 80th Academy Awards opening, for a brief moment Peter Jackson's King Kong can be seen fighting against TriStar's Godzilla.[29]

Videos

Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Toho King Kong
Wikizilla: YouTube Kaiju Profile: Kong (2017-2021)

References

This is a list of references for King Kong. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. KK.PNG
  2. King Kong 1933 Japanese Poster.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Toho Special Effects All Monster Encyclopedia. Shogakukan. 23 July 2014. pp. 30, 46. ISBN 4-096-82090-3.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Godzilla All Giant Monsters Pictorial Book. Kodansha. 6 July 2021. p. 62. ISBN 978-4-06-523491-4.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Godzilla Toho Giant Monster Pictorial Book. Shogakukan. 1 April 2005. p. 78. ISBN 4-09-280052-5.
  6. 168777604 805732120040348 382744355706474449 n.jpg
  7. Napton, Robert (2023). Legends of the Monsterverse: The Omnibus. Legendary Comics. p. 442. ISBN 978-1681161174.
  8. J.D. Lees, Marc Cerasini (24 March 1998). The Official Godzilla Compendium. Random House. p. 131. ISBN 0279888225 Check |isbn= value: checksum (help).
    Compendium17.png
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Godzilla Giant Monsters Super Encyclopedia (4th ed.). Kodansha. 15 March 1994. p. 26. ISBN 978-4063042702.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Warner Bros. JP Tweet
  11. 11.0 11.1 Kong-Sized
  12. Kong2021Height.jpeg
  13. Toby Kebbell clears up Kong: Skull Island rumors - Entertainment Weekly
  14. Ian Failes (8 May 2021). "How Kong's ocean showdown with Godzilla was made". befores & afters.
  15. Rudy Behlmer (28 September 2010). King Kong Blu-ray DigiBook. Warner Bros. pp. 5, 22.
  16. Bon kong R2 subtitles.jpeg
  17. Nomura, Kohei (5 December 2004). Godzilla Dictionary. ISBN 4773002921. Text "publisher" ignored (help); Text "Kasakura Publishing" ignored (help)
  18. Kong display.png
  19. Applebuam, Steven. (September 12, 2005) Interview - Peter Jackson. BBC Movies
  20. Fordham, Joe. (Januray 2006) "Return of the King." Cinefex, 104, p. 75
  21. Wake, Jenny. (December 13, 2005) The Making of King Kong: The Official Guide to the Motion Picture, p. 118. Pocket Books. ISBN 1416505180. 978-1416505181.
  22. "Godzilla Destruction - Unreleased Content [Android/iOS]". Toho Kingdom. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  23. Lord Mobile (February 12, 2024). "Monstrous roars reverberate across the kingdoms, signaling the arrival of two legendary titans. Lords Mobile will be collaborating with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire! 💥

    Brace yourselves for exclusive items and mystery events.

    Stay tuned!

    #lordsmobile #godzillaxkong"
    . X.
  24. [1]13
  25. Tohofilms8.png
  26. King Kong vs. Godzilla | TOHO
  27. Godzilla Developer Was So Passionate About Their Favorite Monster They Snuck It In The Game - Siliconera
  28. 6240338 2380115275640964 7569062263025887966 n.jpg
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YomFIbvApZY

Notes

  1. Hidden text only accessible in the revised PDF of the collection.
  2. King Kong's Japanese name is spelled with an interpunct (キング・コング) in King Kong (1933) and its 2005 remake. All other Japanese-language media spell the name without an interpunct.

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