Ready for its close-up: Hollywood director and screenwriter Jordan Charles Vogt- Roberts (centre, in black) and his staff recently visited Quang Binh Province's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to conduct research for his film Kong: Skull Island which is set for release in 2017. — Photo sggp.org.vn

HCM CITY (VNS) — Hollywood director and screenwriter Jordan Charles Vogt-Roberts have arrived in Ninh Binh Province to prepare for his new film Kong: Skull Island, the upcoming King Kong prequel.

Vogt-Roberts and his staff of 23, including cinematographer Larry Fong, have conducted research for the film by travelling around the province. The film is a production of Legendary Pictures.

According to Hollywood Reporter magazine, Kong: Skull Island will star actors Bire Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, John C. Reily, Samuel L. Jackson and Toby Kebbell. The film is expected to be released in 2017.

Before arriving in Ninh Binh, Vogt-Roberts and his staff visited Quang Binh Province last week, discovering the mountainous areas of Bo Trach, Thuong Hoa, Trung Hoa and Tan Hoa, all of which are famous tourist destinations.

They also plan to visit northwest provinces of Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Yen Bai. The director's trip will end in late December.

According to an unofficial source, Vogt-Roberts plans to work on filming in Viet Nam from December to late 2016.

In his mid-30s, Vogt-Roberts made his directorial debut with the film The Kings of Summer at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. It was also screened at the 2013 Cleveland International Film Festival.

It won the Narrative Feature Audience Award at the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival.

Vogt-Roberts also co-wrote and directed the TV series Mash up. — VNS