Kong: Skull Island is premiering around the world this week, and it appears poised to be number one at the box office this weekend. That’s an explosive debut — and one premiere took that literally.
Image: Gif from AFP Youtube video
There were a number of worldwide premieres for the movie, which has among its ensemble of stars Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson and John C. Reilly.
Image: Gif from Dexxing Song Youtube Video
In Vietnam, the premiere included dancers with batons set on fire, pyrotechnics, and a 5m replica of King Kong. After the dancers left the stage, as you can see in this video, the host came out and said, “You know what? I was standing there and I was actually scared myself,” just as Kong’s arm started to burn.
Image: Gif from AFP Youtube video
As you would expect, there was a little fleeing as the giant gorilla burned in its entirety.
Image: Gif from AFP Youtube video
Via The Hollywood Reporter, we have a statement from a Vietnamese representative for Warner Bros., which says, “There was a small fire at an outdoor atrium at CGV Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City during a Kong: Skull Island opening event. We are very grateful that no one was hurt.”
Image: Gif from AFP Youtube video
And while I am no expert on fire sizes, I do question the characterisation of the fire that engulfed a 5m gorilla as “small”. Just a tad.
Image: Gif from Dexxing Song Youtube Video
Oh well, some premieres go off without a hitch. Some include a gorilla blazing merrily in the background after large groups of people run away from it.