Security tight for 'King Kong' release

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, March 12 (UPI) -- The New Zealand distributor of Peter Jackson's next movie hopes to prevent pirated DVDs appearing early.

"King Kong," a remake of the 1933 classic featuring Fay Wray, a large ape and the Empire State Building, is scheduled to premiere Dec. 14. The New Zealand Herald reports that proposed security measures include keeping reels of the film locked in vaults and using security guards when they are moved. There are also plans to scan theaters with night-vision goggles during the early days of the movie's release to thwart anyone videotaping the screen.

"King Kong" is Jackson's first movie since the final installment of his "Lord of the Rings" series, "Return of the King," swept the Oscars last year.

Jackson has learned about piracy the hard way. The Herald says that thousands of copies of "The Two Towers" were produced from DVDs sent to Oscar voters.