Broken Frontier

Dark Horse Comics and Weta Collectibles of New Zealand, a division of Weta Workshop (four-time Academy Award® winner), have announced an agreement for Dark Horse to act as the exclusive sales agent for Weta's program of licensed consumer products. The initial offerings, slated for release beginning in October, will include statues, busts, graphic art and specialty products based on Universal Pictures' December 14th release, King Kong, from three-time Academy Award® winner Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy).

"We are very excited to be associated with Weta in putting this sales program together," Dark Horse Vice President of Product Development, David Scroggy stated, "and are confident that they will help us make the release of these highly collectable, top quality limited editions a key event for collectors and film fans."

Weta has won worldwide acclaim for its unsurpassed work in creating a wide range of props, creatures, armaments and environments for film productions, most notably their extensive collaboration with fellow New Zealander Peter Jackson on The Lord of the Rings Film Trilogy.  Weta's talented team of sculptors, painters and technicians has labored mightily to create prototypes, maquette’s and other materials for these films.  Additionally, a vast array of collectibles were created that sold exceptionally well and are highly prized by collectors.

"Peter and I and all at Weta are thrilled by the support and collaboration that all on the Dark Horse team have offered to us," Richard Taylor remarked, "with this unison, we will deliver an exciting and highly collectible range of beautiful sculptures from our work on Kong."

"I echo this excitement," Dark Horse President, Mike Richardson, responded. "I have known Peter Jackson for a long time, and became aware of Weta early on through him.  Their Oscar-winning work is unsurpassed.  I knew that our two companies would be a great fit. For us to begin to work together on not one, but two, important properties like these only adds to the excitement."

The initial offerings of the products took place at the International Toy Fair held in New York in February.  Shown by appointment only, this presentation offered the first trade-only look at some exceptional pieces.

Dark Horse Comics will supervise sales and distribution worldwide, except for the sales territories of Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, which Weta Collectibles will handle in-house.    

About King Kong
King Kong stars Academy Award® nominee Naomi Watts (21 Grams), Jack Black (School of Rock), Academy Award® winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist), Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Thomas Kretschmann (U-571), Colin Hanks and Kyle Chandler.  Jan Blenkin, Carolynne Cunningham, three-time Oscar® winner Fran Walsh and Jackson are the producers. The screenplay, by Jackson, Walsh and Oscar winner® Philippa Boyens, is based on the original story by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace, which became the classic 1933 RKO Radio Pictures film, directed by adventurers Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.

Jackson brings his sweeping vision and employ the latest motion picture technology to cinematically portray the timeless tale of the beast and his beauty. He expands on the chapters of the tale that take place in the mysterious and dangerous jungles of Skull Island, and his Kong promises to be a unique and breathtaking creation.

As with his Lord of the Rings trilogy, Jackson is shooting King Kong on location in his native New Zealand.  Visual effects are again accomplished by New Zealand-based companies Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, recipients of multiple Academy Awards for their collective work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Visual effects and miniatures will supplement practical locations in creating primordial jungles and '30s-period America.