Fresh off his buzzworthy performance in the hit indie Whiplash, J.K. Simmons has signed on to join Tom Hiddleston in Warner Bros.' Kong: Skull Island. No details were given for either of the actor's characters, although we reported last week that the plot, "will fully immerse audiences in the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island." Legendary's story honors the foundations of existing King Kong lore, but places it in an entirely new, distinct timeline.

It isn't clear at this time if Kong: Skull Island will be a period piece, or if it will be set in present day. We reported in October that screenwriter John Gatins (Need for Speed, Real Steel) has come aboard to rewrite the original script by Max Borenstein (Godzilla, Seventh Son). Jordan Vogt-Roberts was set to direct back in September, when Tom Hiddleston was confirmed to star.

No production schedule was given for Kong: Skull Island, but Warner Bros. has set a March 10, 2017 release date for this highly-anticipated adventure. J.K. Simmons will next be seen in Terminator Genisys and The Accountant. J.K. Simmons received a Golden Globe nomination last week for his role in Whiplash.