King Kong: Beyond the Gorilla Myth

Often depicted as a giant gorilla, King Kong has been a loyal symbol of classic horror and adventure since 1933. However, as we explore the character's origins and development, one intriguing question looms: What kind of gorilla was King Kong?

Original King Kong (1933) and Early Adaptations

Introducing the original King Kong to the film industry in 1933, stop-motion artist Willis O'Brien and his team used jointed models made of metal and rubber to bring the character to life. These models, typically around 18 inches tall, were meticulously animated frame by frame to create the illusion of movement. The models allowed for a range of poses and expressions, though some scenes required a more complex setup. A large-scale mechanical model of Kong's head and arms was created for several scenes, enabling more realistic and dynamic interactions.

It is noteworthy that the original King Kong was no ordinary gorilla. In the original film, it is emphasized that Kong is an enormous ape with human-like traits, suggesting his intelligence and emotional depth. This portrayal sets Kong apart from the gorillas typically depicted in nature documentaries or wildlife films.

Monsterverse King Kong

With the rise of the Monsterverse, a new adaptation of King Kong raised even more questions about the character's species. In this version, Kong is clearly not a gorilla, but a massive creature with distinct hominid characteristics. One of the most striking features is Kong's posture. Unlike typical gorillas or other great apes, Kong is often depicted standing upright, a posture unique to hominids, which includes humans and our extinct human-like cousins. This alone challenges the traditional gorilla classification.

In the Monsterverse, Kong is portrayed as an ancient, radioactive creature, but upon closer analysis, this theory is less convincing. For one, Kong is seen foraging for food, much like a typical hominid would. This behavior is not characteristic of radioactive monsters, which typically do not display such normal biological needs. Additionally, Kong's level of durability is lower than that of the other Titans in the universe, suggesting he is not a super-evolved creature that thrives on radioactive energy.

The Theory of King Kong as a Giant Hominid

Given these observations, a compelling theory emerges: Kong could be a giant species of hominid. This would explain his humanoid traits, intelligence, and ability to stand and move like a hominid. There is precedent in the natural world for gigantism in hominids, though typically this is seen through prehistoric humans like Java Man or Python Man. If this were the case, Kong would be the only surviving member of his species, further adding to his mysterious and intriguing nature.

Supporting this theory, Kong's structure does not display the level of durability seen in other Titans. He lacks the robust build and resistance to environmental pressures that would be expected from a purely radioactive or super-evolved creature. Instead, Kong appears to be a giant animal with normal hominid behaviors, such as foraging and even eating, behaviors one would not expect from a radioactive monster.

Concluding Remarks

While the specific origins of King Kong remain shrouded in mystery, his portrayal in both the original and Monsterverse versions presents an interesting case for reevaluating the character's classification. Whether he is a giant gorilla or a hominid comes down to careful observation and analysis of the character's behaviors and traits.

References

Willis O'Brien. Original King Kong (1933). Stop-motion animation techniques.

Monsterverse. Kong: Skull Island. Visual and character analysis.

Keywords

King Kong, Gorilla, Monsterverse