It begins with a Gorillas in the Mist-type prologue and then jumps forward twelve years to find Bill Paxton leading a safari expedition to capture the legendary giant (two-ton) gorilla, the subject of the film's title. Paxton's intentions are admirable; he wants to remove the majestic beast from the imminent danger of poachers and set him up on a posh nature reserve in California. The x-factor comes in the form of a beautiful jungle girl, Jill Young. Jill has been Joe's soul mate from birth and is the only human who can communicate with him. She is also the reason Paxton's maverick-on-the-run lingers at the reserve after his task is completed. From there, the plot is spurred on by the nefarious actions of a poacher with an Ahab complex and a battery of money hungry scientists who want to exploit Joe. Naturally, all of this puts a burr under the towering simian's skin, causing him to break free and go ape in L.A.'s concrete jungle. starring Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Naveen Andrews, Regina King, and David Paymer. Ron Underwood directs from the screenplay by Mark Rosenthal & Lawrence Konner; Based on the 1949 RKO Picture "Mighty Joe Young", screenplay by Ruth Rose, from an original story by Merian C. Cooper. Produced by Ted Hartley and Tom Jacobson; EP: Gail Katz; Co-EPs: Gary Stutman and Mark Lisson; SP: Ralph Winter. Music Composed by James Horner • Soundtrack available on Hollywood Records. SVFX by DQI • Special Make-Up Effects by Rick Baker • Full-Motion Gorillas by Hoyt Yeatman. an RKO Pictures production, with The Jacobson Company, for Walt Disney Pictures. Filmed around the 'Jurassic Park' Hawaiian island of Kauai, and around Los Angeles, CA from May 19 - December 1997. Approved [#36273]/rated PG for some menacing action violence, and for mild language. Released in theaters with the "Goofy's Extreme Sports" interstitial from the then-upcoming ABC One Saturday Morning show Disney's Mouse Works [which eventually renamed as Disney's Mickey Mouse Works for its 5/1/99 debut].