After losing Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons to scheduling clashes last month, Legendary/Universal and Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts are moving quickly to secure replacements. The filmmakers are now trying to lock in Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly and Tom Wilkinson to join the cast.
Wilkinson appears to be the one closest to committing – according to Deadline, he has an offer on the table and may end up signing on to the adventure film. As for Jackson, he’s in early talks to take on the role that Simmons was to have played, but there’s no firm negotiations yet. And Reilly? He’s sitting atop the wish list of people being sought to take on Keaton’s vacated part.
If they do all actually join the film, they’ll be part of a cast that includes Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson and the recently cast Corey Hawkins. The film, written in various different drafts by Max Borenstein, John Gatins and Dan Gilroy, finds explorers heading to the fog-shrouded, mysterious titular island, home to the world’s biggest, angriest ape and a whole host of other creatures. As they venture deeper within the place, they encounter yet more surprises. All being well, the film will roar on to our screens on March 10, 2017.