Nicholas Grunas On King Kong In Detroit
February 16th, 2018 - Detroit, MI
DETROIT, MI - News of plans for "King Kong : Skull Island" movie shot and set in Detroit has given some unexpected attention to a local artist who is a fan of the legendary ape.
Nicholas Grunas, 37, from southwest Detroit, created four one-of-a-kind, doctored up prints last fall as a fun way to celebrate a "Throwback Thursday" contest on a website. broihier
Each shows King Kong terrorizing different parts of Detroit ranging from the Book Cadillac Hotel and Wurlitzer Building to Ford Field and Jefferson Avenue near the Renaissance Center.
These prints, based on actual photos of the city, are starting to go viral and have Grunas fired up to see the film that will reportedly star Michael Keaton, J.K. Simmons and Tom Hiddleston.
"I didn't plan on doing any more," Grunas told MLive.com. "But with the news of the movie being shot in my hometown, I just might have something up my sleeve."
You can check out all of Grunas' King Kong vs. Detroit work in the photo gallery above. Below is a video Grunas created to show the detailed process behind creating the art.
For more on Grunas and how to purchase his King Kong vs. Detroit artwork, check out his page http://djjustnick08.artistwebsites.com
You can also get more details about Grunas and his work on https://www.facebook.com/djjustnick
There appears to be several details that need to be worked out before "King Kong: Skull Island" starts filming in Detroit � if reports about the film are accurate.
MTV News first reported news of the film, to be set in 1971 Detroit, on its website Thursday and cited an interview from Simmons, a Detroit native.
The news, however, was news Thursday afternoon to the Michigan Film Office. It had not, at that time, received an application from any producers about such a project.
"We have not received an application or heard from the project at this time about a MIchigan shoot," wrote the film office's Michelle Grinnell, in an e-mail sent Thursday afternoon.
Simmons confirmed with MTV News that Keaton ("Birdman") and Hiddleston ("The Avengers") will also be in the film. Simmons mentioned the words "King Kong" and "Skull Island" will likely be included in the title, and confirmed in the interview that Jordan Vogt-Roberts will direct.
Vogt-Roberts, 31, is from Metro Detroit. Property records show his most recent address is a home in Oak Park.
"It�s where I grew up," Simmons said of the film's Detroit location. "and we�re going to shoot in Detroit during baseball season, so I�ll get to go to Tigers games. There�s a lot to like about (making) this movie."
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2015/01/king_kong_skull_island_movie_f.html#incart_river