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With Kong: Skull Island opening this weekend in theaters and IMAX, I recently sat down with Toby Kebbell for an exclusive video interview. During our ride ranging conversation he talked about how he got involved in Kong: Skull Island, what it was like filming in Vietnam, Australia and Hawaii, training on helicopters, memorable moments from filming, growing up loving B-movies, working with Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and more. In addition, we also talked about his work on Black Mirror Season 1, his upcoming Rob Cohen movie Category 5, and what it will take for motion capture performers to finally get recognized for their work.

If you’re not familiar with Kong: Skull Island, the film takes place in the 1970s, in the midst of the Vietnam War, and features a disparate group of people exploring Skull Island—from Samuel L. Jackson’s military commander to Brie Larson’s photojournalist. The film also stars Tom HiddlestonJohn GoodmanJohn C. ReillyTian JingCorey HawkinsJason MitchellJohn OrtizThomas Mann, Shea Whigham, and Eugene Cordero. I’ve seen the film and am happy to report it’s a fantastic ride. Unlike Godzilla, Kong is all over this film and the way Vogt-Roberts has collaborated with cinematographer Larry Fong is exceptional. You want to see this film on the biggest screen possible.

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Image via Warner Bros.

Check out what Toby Kebbell had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about followed by the synopsis.

Toby Kebbell:

  • Black Mirror talk. How he had to audition 4 times and his thoughts on the episode.
  • How did Jordan pitch him on the film? Reveals he met him for the first time on set.
  • When he signed on did he know he’d be going to Vietnam, Australia and Hawaii?
  • Talks about training on helicopters.
  • How the entire cast is movie stars.
  • Memorable moments from filming.
  • Talks about playing Kong as motion capture.
  • The great visuals in the film. Talks about the lenses they used.
  • Did he grow up a fan of Godzilla and monster movies?
  • Talks about what the 70s time period brings to the story.
  • Talks about working with Jordan Vogt-Roberts on set.
  • Will people finally get recognized for their work doing motion capture work?
  • Talks about making Rob Cohen’s Category 5 and how it was all practical.
tom-hiddleston-kong-skull-island
Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the official synopsis for Kong: Skull Island:

The producers of Godzilla reimagine the origins of one the most powerful monster myths of all in “Kong: Skull Island.”  This compelling, original adventure tells the story of a diverse team of scientists, soldiers and adventurers uniting to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific, as dangerous as it is beautiful.  Cut off from everything they know, the team ventures into the domain of the mighty Kong, igniting the ultimate battle between man and nature.  As their mission of discovery becomes one of survival, they must fight to escape a primal Eden in which humanity does not belong.

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