The Beast Returns - Madame Tussauds New York Launches All-New Kong: Skull Island Experience

NEW YORK, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Madame Tussauds New York and Madame Tussauds London in partnership with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures have officially unleashed KONG: Skull Island, an all-new, multi-sensory experience based on the upcoming film hitting theaters March 10^th.  The iconic Times Square attraction now offers its intrepid guests the one-of-a-kind chance to fully immerse themselves in the film's environment, take a journey through the jungle and come face to face with an over 18-foot tall animatronic head of mythical monster … if they dare.

Visitors will quickly forget that they are in the middle of Manhattan, as they become entirely immersed in the tropical jungle of Skull Island. Journeying through bamboo, foliage and vines, they will encounter the first ever wax likeness of British actor Tom Hiddleston, portraying the film's heroic Captain James Conrad. Well equipped with binoculars, a holster and gun, the figure was styled with the help of Legendary Pictures film stylists to perfectly portray the brave and resilient character.

Evading the traps of a colossal Mother Long-Legs spider, visitors will come face-to face with the over eighteen-foot, monstrous animatronic Kong head – a first for the iconic wax brand. True to the scale of beast portrayed in the film, the head took a team of 33 artists over 72 days to build. Weighing in at over 3,000 lbs, it required over 350 square feet of specialist faux hair and took approximately four weeks to hand paint. Each movement of the head, eyes and lips use state-of-the-art pneumatic controls, designed specifically for this figure. The system precisely controls the pressure and flow of air to recreate life like facial movements, grunts, snorts and roars made by the ferocious beast.  Guests will feel the intensity and the power of this monstrous animal, with every step they take.

"I think it's great that there's a Kong Skull Island experience at Madame Tussauds," said Tom Hiddleston. "The idea that I'm going to be part of that exhibition is remarkable, and not something I ever expected.

"I hope when people come face-to-face with Kong himself they get some sense of what it might be like. Probably, a better sense than I had, because when I made the film, Kong wasn't there, we had to imagine him. If people love the Kong character, they'll love the Madame Tussauds head."

"Madame Tussauds is famous for providing the most authentic, thrilling and fun experiences for our guests so we are excited to launch our largest ever animatronic today as part of KONG: Skull Island," said Anna Domingo, General Manager of Madame Tussauds New York. "We worked closely with Legendary Pictures to ensure our animatronic head is made to the exact film-scale, so visitors really will come face-to-face and feel the power and scale of the Kong depicted on the big screen."

MADAME TUSSUADS KONG ANIMATRONIC FACTS

• It took 33 people over 72 Days to build
• The head weighs over 3,000 lbs
• You'd have to climb 30 stairs to reach the top of Kong's head
• At 90 dB, Kong's roar is the sound of a Boeing 737 about to land
• Each eye is 22 inches wide and uses laser radar to follow you around the room
• Over 1,000 bolts hold this beast together
• Kong's facial movements are each controlled by a separate microprocessor communicating together.  Basically Kong's nervous system is like a mini internet.
• The roar effect releases 240 PSI of high pressure air in four seconds

KONG: Skull Island is a permanent addition to Madame Tussauds New York and is included in the price of regular admission.

ABOUT MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK AND MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS

Madame Tussauds New York, prominently located in the heart of Times Square, is more than just a wax museum; it is an iconic "must do" New York experience and home of the Ghostbusters Experience. There are no velvet ropes or obtrusive barriers to keep guests from interacting with over 200 of the world's most recognizable and influential icons. The fully immersive, one-of-a-kind attraction is great for families and visitors of any age. With particular dedication to regional visitors, local admissions offers are available. Visit www.madametussauds.com/newyork or call (866) 841-3505 for more information.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates over 110 attractions, 12 hotels/4 holiday villages in 23 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 63 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 26,000 employees. 

ABOUT KONG: SKULL ISLAND:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures' "Kong: Skull Island" reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts ("The Kings of Summer").

In the film, a diverse team of explorers is brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific – as beautiful as it is treacherous – unaware that they're crossing into the domain of the mythic Kong. 

"Kong: Skull Island" stars Tom Hiddleston ("The Avengers," "Thor: The Dark World"), Samuel L. Jackson ("The Hateful Eight," "Avengers: Age of Ultron"), Oscar winner Brie Larson ("Room," "Trainwreck"), John Goodman ("Transformers: Age of Extinction," "Argo") and John C. Reilly ("Guardians of the Galaxy," "Step Brothers").  The international ensemble cast also includes Tian Jing ("Police Story: Lockdown"), Corey Hawkins ("Straight Outta Compton"), Jason Mitchell ("Straight Outta Compton"), John Ortiz ("Steve Jobs"), Thomas Mann ("Beautiful Creatures"), Shea Whigham ("The Wolf of Wall Street"), Toby Kebbell ("Dawn of the Planet of the Apes") and Eugene Cordero ("The Kings of Summer").

Vogt-Roberts is directing the film from a screenplay by Max Borenstein, John Gatins, Dan Gilroy and Derek Connolly.  "Kong: Skull Island" is produced by Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni with Mary Parent.  The executive producers are Eric McLeod and Alex Garcia. 

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, "Kong: Skull Island."  The film will be released worldwide in 2D, 3D in select theatres, and IMAX beginning March 10, 2017, from Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.  

ABOUT LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT:

Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to worldwide audiences. Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world's most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $13 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit: www.legendary.com

ABOUT WARNER BROS. PICTURES:

Warner Bros. Pictures has been at the forefront of the motion picture industry since its inception and continues to be a leading creative force in the industry. 

Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances or co-finances the films it produces and maintains worldwide distribution rights. It further monetizes its distribution and marketing operations by distributing films that are totally financed and produced by others. Current multi-faceted co-financing joint ventures include those with Village Roadshow Pictures and RatPac-Dune Entertainment. Warner Bros. Pictures also has a distribution, co-financing deal with Alcon Entertainment.

2016 marked the 10th consecutive year Warner Bros. Pictures crossed the $3 billion mark at the global box office with $4.93 billion in worldwide receipts ($1.90 billion domestic, $3.03 billion international). The year was also 16th consecutive frame that both the domestic and international divisions crossed the billion-dollar mark—a milestone no other studio has achieved.

Among the films on Warner Bros. Pictures' 2017 slate are The LEGO Batman Movie, Kong: Skull Island, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Wonder Woman, Dunkirk, Annabelle 2 (from New Line Cinema), It (New Line Cinema), The LEGO NINJAGO Movie and Justice League.

SOURCE Madame Tussauds New York