'King Kong' makers weigh New York bash

NEW YORK, May 12 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures and New York officials weighed the cost and feasibility of putting on a splashy media event to kick off the remake of "King Kong."

Studio executives and city officials considered ideas that include hanging a gorilla figure from the Empire State Building, the focal point in the original 1933 film, as well as a major parade, sources told the New York Daily News.

The studio's marketing ideas borrow a page from rival Walt Disney Co., which is known for orchestrating grand-scale media events in New York.

Directed by "Lord of the Rings" maestro Peter Jackson and staring Naomi Watts in the Fay Wray role.

Universal's $145 million "King Kong" is set to open Dec. 14.