King Kong Roars on DVD  4/3/06

Box-Office Blockbuster 'King Kong' Roars on DVD; Mega Hit Amasses a King-Sized $100 Million in Consumer Spending; The Largest First Six-Day Sell-Through on DVD in Universal Studios History; Film Continues Its Record-Breaking Success as Universal Pictures' Fourth-Highest Grossing Film of All Time

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- "King Kong" ascended to extraordinary heights in its first six days in release, selling more than 6.5 million DVDs, the largest six-day performance in Universal Studios history. Fans snatched the blockbuster adventure film off shelves, generating $100 million in consumer spending for the Universal Studios Home Entertainment release.

The spectacular first-week DVD sales continue "King Kong's" astonishing commercial success as the studio's fourth-highest grossing film in the studio's 94-year history. To date, the film has amassed approximately $550 million in ticket sales worldwide, following on the heels of "Jurassic Park," "E.T." and "The Lost World: Jurassic Park."

"Hands down, Peter Jackson's 'King Kong' ranks as one of Universal's biggest and most successful cinematic triumphs of all time," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "Home entertainment consumers recognize the singular-event status of this spectacular breakthrough motion picture which has been further bolstered by the film's stunning technical achievements including its Oscar(R) win for best visual effects."

The latest larger-than-life spectacle from visionary filmmaker Peter Jackson (the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy), "King Kong" enthralled audiences and critics alike, garnering three Oscars(R) at the 2006 Academy Awards(R) and appearing on countless "Best Movies of the Year" lists.

Both the original theatrical version and the Special Collectors Edition two-disc set of the "King Kong" DVD boast collectible package artwork specially created by WETA Digital Ltd., the production company behind the film's impressive Oscar(R)-winning visual effects. The DVD release of "King Kong" was supported by unparalleled cross-promotional opportunities with an array of prominent partners including Papa John's Pizza, Glad, Hostess, Orville Redenbacher's(R) Gourmet(R) Microwave Popcorn, Kellogg's, Nestle, Toshiba, Chase and Kodak EasyShare.

"King Kong" recounts the eternal tale of beauty and the beast, with a script by three-time Academy Award(R) winner Jackson and his longtime collaborators and fellow Oscar(R) winners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Oscar(R) nominee Naomi Watts ("21 Grams"), Jack Black ("School of Rock"), Oscar(R) winner Adrien Brody ("The Pianist"), Colin Hanks ("Orange County") and Andy Serkis (the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) headline this must-see spectacular, with a cast of mind-boggling, mythical creatures and an arsenal of spectacular visual innovations backing them up.

The Special Collector's Edition DVD features an exclusive glimpse of the creation of "King Kong's" two unique worlds -- Skull Island, a land forgotten by time, where the actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and the giant, savage ape known as King Kong forge their tragic bond, and 1930's New York City, a different, but not less perilous, kind of jungle. Other extras include almost three hours of exclusive behind the scenes footage with director Jackson, as he finalizes every aspect of post production on this groundbreaking film. The single disc version is available at $29.98 SRP and the two-disc Special Edition is priced at $30.98 SRP.

SOURCE Universal Studios Home Entertainment

-0- 04/03/2006