King Kong is going to be long as hell

Universal has agreed to release King Kong at it's full three hour run time. Peter Jackson and Universal had originally contemplated a running time of around two and half hours, with a budget around $175 million, but things never go right and the budget went over to $207 million.

Decision to increase the running time and budget was made after Universal brass -- including Ron MeyerRon Meyer, Stacey SniderStacey Snider, Marc Shmuger and Mary ParentMary Parent -- flew to New Zealand to screen the pic. The U delegation knew they were going to see a three-hour version, but hadn't made any decisions on whether to release it. "We expected to see a long movie," said U chair Stacey Snider, "and we loved it. It's a brilliant movie, an epic feast."

This better be as incredible as the poster looks, because it takes a lot more than a giant gorilla to get me to sit still for three hours straight.

• Primates getting pricier [Variety]

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