Peter Jackson
The New Zealand filmmaker who brought his lifelong favourite film to the screen with a 2005 epic remake.
Peter Jackson is the New Zealand filmmaker who directed, co-wrote, and produced the 2005 epic monster remake film King Kong. He is best known as the director, screenwriter, and producer of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit trilogy. Jackson has long cited King Kong as his favourite film, and around the age of nine he attempted to remake it using his own stop-motion models. His 2005 King Kong remake was initially shelved by Universal Studios partly because of Mighty Joe Young and Godzilla, both giant monster movies, that had already gone into production.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Peter Robert Jackson
- Born
- 31 October 1961
- Birthplace
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Occupation
- Director
- producer
- writer
- Children
- 2
Lore & Background
Jackson's passion for King Kong began in childhood. He has long cited King Kong as his favourite film, and around the age of nine he attempted to remake it using his own stop-motion models. This early obsession stayed with him throughout his career. After the success of Heavenly Creatures, Jackson's remake of King Kong was shelved by Universal Studios, partly because of Mighty Joe Young and Godzilla, both giant monster movies, that had already gone into production. Universal feared it would be thrown aside by the two higher budget movies. Despite this setback, Jackson eventually realized his dream, directing the epic monster remake film King Kong in 2005.
Reader's Guide
Peter Jackson's journey to bring Kong back began decades before the film's release, driven by a childhood obsession with the original 1933 classic.
Did You Know?
- Jackson was born on 31 October 1961 in Wellington and raised in its far northern suburb of Pukerua Bay.
- Jackson established WingNut Films as his production company in 1987.
- Jackson won three Academy Awards for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
More in Mythos & Behind the Scenes
Elsewhere in King Kong
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced