According to Deadline, Samuel L. Jackson (Avengers: Age Of Ultron), John C. Reilly (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Tom Wilkinson (Batman Begins) are all in early talks to star in Legendary Pictures' Kong: Skull Island. The site reports that Jackson would take over the role vacated by JK Simmons, and Reilly tops a "small list" of actors that are being lined up to replace Michael Keaton. Wilkinson has apparently been offered a different lead role.
Though the movie has been referred to as an origin story for the great ape, it's also been called a reboot and is not expected to tie into Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong remake. The plot will focus on "a team of explorers venturing deep inside the treacherous, primordial island."
Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce with Alex Garcia, and Eric McLeod is on board as exec producer. Universal Pictures will release the film in 3D and IMAX 3D on March 10, 2017.