Inside King Kong: A Journal

When actor Will Shephard turned up at the Beverley Hills offices of Dino De Laurentiis, he expected to be interviewed for a modest role in the great man’s next production. “My agent told me on the phone that you were looking for actors who could do animal movements, but she didn’t tell me what the film was about,” said Will. “It’s King Kong,” said the producer. “You mean a remake of the 1933 film?” “Yes.” “What’s the role I’m being considered for?” “It’s Kong.” And so began an extraordinary...