Claim: Jessica Lange's first film role was in a film remake.

King Kong is a 1976 American monster film produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by John Guillermin . It is a modern remake of the 1933 classic film of the same name , about a giant ape that is captured and imported to New York City for exhibition . Featuring special effects by Carlo Rambaldi , it stars Jeff Bridges , Charles Grodin , and Jessica Lange in her first film role .   The remake 's screenplay was written by Lorenzo Semple Jr. , based on the 1933 screenplay by James Ashmore Creelman and Ruth Rose , from the original idea by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace .   The film was the fifth highest grossing film of 1977 according to box office statistics compiled during its release by Variety , Box Office Mojo published a list indicating it was the 7th highest grossing film of 1976 in North America . It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects , and was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Sound .   It is the only King Kong film to feature the World Trade Center instead of the Empire State Building .   A sequel titled King Kong Lives was released in 1986 .