WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New York will host the world premiere of Peter Jackson's (search) mammoth update of "King Kong" (search) in early December.
The premiere will be held ahead of the movie's Dec. 14 release, Universal Pictures (search) Vice Chairman Marc Shmuger said Wednesday.
He was in Wellington for meetings with Jackson.
The original 1933 movie starring Fay Wray (search) featured New York's Empire State Building (search), the skyscraper that massive gorilla King Kong scaled while holding tight to Wray.
Shmuger said the premiere was an opportunity for New York "to welcome Kong back."
"New York is very excited about the opportunity and the city is one of our partners on the film," he said. "They are lending extensive resources to really make the return of Kong to New York an official event."
Jackson's film stars Naomi Watts (search), Adrien Brody (search) and Jack Black (search). Andy Serkis provides the body motions for Kong.
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