In 1996, Universal (who were highly impressed with Peter Jackson’s abilities on their film “The Frighteners” (1996)) offered him the chance to remake “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954).
He turned them down, but then when Universal got wind of his love of “King Kong” (1933), they offered him the chance to remake his favorite film.
Surprisingly, Jackson turned the offer down but, in the intervening weeks, he was consumed with the idea that someone else would get the chance to remake it, so he told Universal he’d changed his mind.
Jackson cast Jack Black after seeing his performance in “High Fidelity” (2000).
After the success of “School of Rock” (2003), Black expressed interest in working withJackson after Black enjoyed the “Lord of the Rings” films.
Black didn’t think he would ever work with him, but Jackson asked him if he wanted to work on this film.
Black did not have to audition and he immediately accepted the role of Carl Denham.
Black wore a wig in the film, because Peter Jackson wasn’t happy with the way his hair had been cut.
He has claimed that he did not wear any makeup at all in the entire movie, after hearing a false rumor that Clint Eastwood never wears any makeup in his movies
To research his role, Jack Black studied P.T. Barnum and Orson Welles. (IMDb)
Happy Birthday, Jack Black!