Billy Elliot star to take on King Kong

"Billy Elliot" star Jamie Bell has reportedly signed up to star in Peter Jackson's forthcoming "King Kong" remake.

13:54 29 July 2004

"Billy Elliot" star Jamie Bell has reportedly signed up to star in Peter Jackson's forthcoming "King Kong" remake.

The ballet dancing young Brit plays a cameraman who accompanies filmmaker Carl Denham (played by US actor Jack Black) into the jungle on Skull Island, in search of the giant gorilla.

The Universal Pictures version of "King Kong" will also star Naomi Watts, Oscar-winner Adrian Brody and Evan Parke.

Parke has been cast as the first mate on the Venture, the tramp steamer that sails to Skull Island. He ends up heading the rescue team that enters the jungle to save Watts' character, Ann Darrow, from the mythical ape. Brody will appear as fighter pilot Jack Driscoll.

"Lord of the Rings" actor Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the big-screen trilogy, will voice "King Kong" and will reportedly be present on set to give the actors something to play to and provide a reference of the computer animation.

Director Jackson is currently in pre-production on the flick, with filming due to begin this August in New Zealand. "King Kong" is scheduled for release on December 14th 2005.