Kong is King of New York

Everything about Peter Jackson's King Kong seems to be gargantuan - not just its simian protagonist - and the film's world premiere in New York last night was no exception.

The Lord of the Rings director's epic retelling of the tale of the ape with a weakness for beautiful blondes was screened simultaneously on 38 screens in and around Times Square. Stars Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Naomi Watts and Andy Serkis made their way into the Loews Theatre beneath the shadow of a 20ft high model of Kong.

Jackson was handed complete creative control over the project after the phenomenal success of his Rings triptych, and has responded with a three-hour movie which ran a reported $32m (£18m) over budget, costing a record $207m (£116m).

It is not yet clear who will pick up the bill, but Universal executives are reported to be delighted with the film, and both the studio and director have said they are prepared to cover the bigger budget. Press reviews both here and in the States have so far been largely positive.

Jackson and cast were joined by the likes of Star Wars creator George Lucas and actors Glenn Close, Tim Robbins and Evan Rachel Wood last night, with tycoon-turned-TV-star Donald Trump also in attendance.

There was also the small matter of 8,000 members of the public, fittingly bringing the centre of New York to a halt on the day officially labelled King Kong Day by city mayor Michael Bloomberg.

After the screening, guests travelled by coach to a party on a West Side pier which featured a replica of Skull Island, the film's central location, with burlesque dancers and a 1930s-themed club with a big band and ballroom dancers.

Jackson's film is a remake of the 1933 original (not the 1976 retread) which centres on a movie man, Carl Denham, who sets off to film his latest blockbuster on a remote island populated by primitives, dinosaurs and a nameless horror.

The new Kong begins his rampage through cinemas on December 14 in the US and lands in the UK a day later.