Kong: Skull Island will take place in the 1970s

J.K. Simmons reveals it is set in Detroit 1971

There's been no official announcement of Michael Keaton joining the cast of Kong: Skull Island, but that doesn't mean there aren't any updates to announce. 

Actor J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) will star in Kong: Skull Island, and while on the red carpet of the Golden Globes, he said this to MTV News:

"Honestly when it first came to my attention, 'there's interest in you for a new King Kong', I thought, 'okay, why?' But I met with Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who's going to be directing it, and John Gatins, who's going to be writing — and tom [Hiddleston]… Jordan was just so passionate and so smart and there's such an interesting new take on it. And, it's set in Detroit in 1971, which is where I grew up, and we're going to shoot in Detroit during baseball season and I'll be able to go to Tigers games."

Outside of the 1976 version, all other King Kong films have taken place in the 1930s. Not much is known about the plot of Kong: Skull Island, outside of it featuring the iconic island and home of Kong. We know it will explore his origins "in an entirely new, distinct timeline."

Kong: Skull Island releases March 10, 2017. It stars J.K. Simmons, Tom Hiddleston and Michael Keaton is in talks to join.

MTV News