On December 14th, 2005, Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong will be released. The studio behind the film (and the whole Kong franchise) is Universal studios, which has been somewhat overzealous in recent years to go for every tie-in and merchandising dollar (even as I documented earlier for The Cat in the Hat and The Hulk). With Kong, they've pulled back a trifle*, but there are still amazing amounts of Kong-related stuff out there, with more to come.

Major partners include Volkswagen, Toshiba, Burger King, Nestle, Kellogg's, Chase bank, the City of New York, Pringles, and the New Zealand Post.

Here's a (hulking, gargantuan, massive, giant, monstrous, umm... large sampling (as of 11/14/05)

• Official Movie Site (and Official King Kong websites worldwide: United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Taiwan, France, Poland)
• Official Fan Site (KongIsKing.net)
• IMDB Listing
• IMDB Business Data

• Peter Jackson was paid $20 million (against 20 percent of the gross proceeds) to direct (and co-produce and write) this film, the highest salary ever paid to a film director in advance of production.
• Jackson stands to earn as much from sales of the Ubisoft Kong Videogame
• 1933 version cost (in todays dollars) $8.8 million
• 1976 remake cost (in todays dollars) $82 million
• 2005 version cost: $207 million (original budget: $175 million)
• Volkswagen will produce 5,000 King Kong branded Touaregs
• more

Also, the Animatronic Kong (flails his arms, roars), a string of Kong Head Party Lites, and a couple more figures: 1933 version of Tyrannosaurus, and the 1933 version of Kong.

11/20/05 - found reference to the Kong California Lottery, and Kellogg's UK cereal promotional Battle Roller toys, and a set of three jigsaw puzzles: Kong meets girl, Kong in the jungle, and Kong battles T-rex. And some Toy plastic Rings, or keep warm with fleece #1 or fleece #2.

11/28/05 - A King Kong branded Asus 7800GX 512Mb Graphics Card, several T-shirts: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), a Georgia Lottery game, some Kong Badges (Pins) benefitting Cancer Research UK, and a handful of sculpted bottle caps from Japan. Also, the news that Universal Pictures is launching its largest ever in-theater concession program with more than 6 million "King Kong" Coca-Cola cups and nearly 2 million "Kong" popcorn bags and tubs being offered in more than a dozen major U.S. theater chains.

12/2/05 - A Party Animal Birthday Badge(?), and Playmates Toys official Kong site.

12/12/05 - last pre-premiere update: Burger King US and Burger King Germany have their toys and promos out. You can get a King Kong Manga, Fleece blanket, Beach Towel, pair of Slippers, more T-Shirts (1, 2, 3), or Long-sleeve shirts ( 1, 2, 3). Another Puzzle, some Cheapie Playing Cards, Binoculars, and a "Target" Game, a Dog Tag or a Soda Cup Topper. - Oh and... Party! with King Kong Paddle Ball Party Favors, Cake/Dessert Plates, Lunch/Dinner Plates, Beverage Napkins, Lunch Napkins, Hot/Cold Cups, Invitations, Thank You Notes, Plastic Tablecover, Treat Bags, Cone Hats, Helium Quality Latex Balloons, Blowouts, Sticker Sheets, 17 oz. Stadium Cups, Jointed "Happy Birthday" Banner, Foil happy Birthday Banner, Mylar Balloon (Ribbon included), and a Party Game Enough for 12 players - Pin the Airplane on Kong!

Of course there are DVDs, including Peter Jackson's Production Diaries DVD, a re-release of the 1933 version in a 2-DVD Set or the Collector's Edition 2-DVD Set, and then for the audio - there is the compulsory Original Soundtrack.

As for books - also on the Re-release train, King Kong in Paperback by Edgar Wallace, Merian C. Cooper, Delos W. Lovelace, and Merian C. Cooper's King Kong : A Novel (Paperback).

Then begins the 30+ direct Movie Tie-in titles, including:
King Kong - the official Novelization, The Island of the Skull a prequel paperback, The Making of King Kong : The Journey Behind the Magic, King Kong: Escape from Skull Island, King Kong: The Search for Kong, The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island and Kong's Kingdom.

For the 4-8 year olds out there, we have King Kong: The Junior Novel, Color & Activity Book: Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3, King Kong 8 X 8 Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3, and Meet Kong and Ann , King Kong: Book 3, Journey to Skull Island (I Can Read Book 2), and Meet Kong and Ann (I Can Read Book 2).

And for the other kiddos there is the King Kong: Chapter Book, the Deluxe Sound Storybook, Jigsaw Book with Stickers & Activities, Jigsaw Puzzle Book, Floor Puzzle and Activity Book, Stencil Activity Book with Stickers, King Kong the Official Annual, and Stencil book

And don't forget Dark Horse's Comic series: Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World Movie Adaptation #1, #2 and #3.

Ubisoft's Videogame: Peter Jackson's King Kong is getting a lot of coverage in the media. They plan to release it for the PC, Xbox 360, Xbox, PSP, PS2, GameCube, Nintendo DS, and GBA.

And Mobile Game maker also released the King Kong Mobile Game, in case you wish to smash and destroy using your cellphone keypad.

And the Toys. Oh, the toys... Action figures galore: a Bat Creature, Electronic Roaring Plush, Kong Vs V-rex Battling Game, Plush Kong, Kong Vs Terapusmardox, Foetodon Action Figure, Vastatosaurus Rex Action Figure, Kong Vs Piranhadon, Kong Vs Venatosaurus, Gripping Kong Action, Kong Vs Juvenile V Rex, Skull Island Playset, Kong vs. Fying Critters, Creatures of Skull Island, 12 in. Roaring Kong, 12 in. Roaring Bull V-rex, Foot Stompin Kong, and a Deluxe 14-inch Kong Figure.

And there are other games, not just the Video kind. There's a Kong and T-Rex Battling Game, Deluxe Chess Set, Kong Electronic Pinball Game with "Fast blasting, King Kong pinball action" from Radio Shack, Kong Checkers, and a Skull Island Board Game.

And don't forget the Headknockers: Skyscraper Headknocker or Dinosaur Slayer Headknocker.

I guess these would qualify as toys as well - only higher-quality and more-expensive.

The New Zealand Post has issued a whole slew of commemorative items, celebrating fellow Kiwi Peter Jackson's movie, including Coins (actual uncirculated currency with a gorilla on one side and Queen Elizabeth on the other). Also, more postal-related, Stamps and Cover sheets, Souvenir (Post) cards, Stamps Collector's Pack, and for your other shipping needs, StrongBoxes and plastic BubbleBags.

There's a Kong Soft Vinyl Statue and a V-Rex Soft Vinyl Statue.

And Weta has released a whole series of statuettes, including: Kong on Empire Building Statue, V-Rex vs. Kong Statue, V-Rex vs. Kong Statue 2, Jack & Denham's Ravine Struggle Statue, Kong with Ann Bust, V-Rex Bust, Raptor Attacks Lumpy Statue, Skull Island natives, Kong Skull, Ferrucutus Skull, Venatosaurus Skull, V-Rex Skull, and a set of Kong & V-Rex Bookends.

And for memorabilia hounds, Topps has apparently shredded some of the original costumes into tiny bits, packaged them and is now selling them. You can own tiny squares of: Ann's dressing gown, Jack's Tweed Jacket, Jack's Silk Shirt, Carl's Sisal Suit, Ann's Dress, or Denham's Waistcoat. Or just get an entire box of Trading Cards.

Folks who want a Kong overdose for their next birthday party are easily accomodated. Here's a list of King Kong Party Goods available: The King Kong Deluxe Pack - with invitations, plates, cups, forks, spoons, napkins, tablecover, mylar balloon, assorted balloons, curling ribbon and cake candles. Or the King Kong Favor Boxes, Each box includes an assorted glow stick, laser spinner, tumbling ninja (?), King Kong paddle ball and sticker sheet.

Yum. There are King Kong Cotton Candy & Sour Gummies, Apple Jacks, Klik Dispensers (like Pez), Sweet Spin YoYo, Power Pops, Mighty Chew Bubblegum, Movie Camera Bubblegum Packages, and Light & Sound Candy Dispensers with "Lights, sound and candies all sure to keep you excited". Nestle also has "Kong" related Crunch, Butterfinger, and Baby Ruth Bars. Even Pepsi (in Russia) seems to be in the act - one ad visible here.

What to eat these yummies with? Well there's a Lunch bag Pal, or just an ordinary Lunch Box #1 (or Lunch Box #2). And for Ape Drinks, there's a Stoneware Stein, a 3 pc. Shotglass set, and a 2 pc. Shooter Glass set.

You might wish to become a giant ape. Okay, herre's a Kong Mask, a Costume, a Kong Face and Chest Role-play Set, Electronic Kong Arms w/ Movie Sounds, a Rolling backpack, and the ever-important Wallet/Coin purse.

Bedding/Pajamas: Pajamas Set 1, Set 2, Set 3. And a Quilt/Pillowcase set, a Duvet Set and a Bathrobe (Dressing Gown). Or for cold-weather outdoors, a Kong Hat/Scarf glove set, or Winter hat/Beanie/Gloves set. Or you can just makle your own Kong apparel with the official Kong Fabric 1, and Kong Fabric 2.

Miscellaneous: Back to School Set, Triple Tier Colouring Case, Light-Up Snow Globe, ID Case/Lighter Set, Stickers, 2-inch tall Gumball Machine figurines, and the recently-released Gigabeat mp3 player, "King Kong" edition.

Aside from the tangibles mentioned above, are the Partnerships and Co-Promotions, a few of these are:

Volkswagen's all-out Entertainment crossover effort, hosted at Volkswagen Entertainment, mainly touting Touareg Kong Edition, (and bag).

The Chase Bank Kong Mastercard

Burger King (link coming soon)

Toshiba's Capture the Beast Promotion - one among many promised promotions.

City of New York, including the New York Lottery

The Pringles Promo cans/game/contest site (with an online Kong game).

Kellogg’s Australia, with Kong Watch and/or Picture Cubes - Muesli Bars, LCMs, Coco Pops, Coco Pops Kaleidos, Rice Bubbles Honeycomb Bits, Sultana Bran, Rice Bubbles, Froot Loops, Honey Crispix and Cocoa Crispix - and Action Cards & Cereal Box games.

USA Networks Kong Sweepstakes

A new Nestle Crunch promo

A contest from Air New Zealand