5 Jaw-Dropping New Projects From Naomi Watts: The King Kong Star’s 2025 Career Resurgence

Few roles in cinematic history are as iconic as the scream queen held in the palm of a giant ape, and for a generation of movie-goers, that role belongs to Naomi Watts. Nearly two decades after Peter Jackson’s 2005 blockbuster *King Kong*, where Watts portrayed the aspiring actress Ann Darrow, her career is experiencing a massive, multi-faceted resurgence. As of December 2025, Watts is not just resting on her blockbuster laurels; she is dominating the entertainment landscape with major new film roles, a high-profile television series debut, and a deeply personal new endeavor that extends her influence beyond acting. This article dives into the freshest, most current details of her life and career.

The British-Australian actress, known for her versatility across independent films and major studio productions, has always maintained a steady career. However, the slate of projects she is launching in late 2024 and throughout 2025 confirms her status as a powerhouse performer and producer. Her ability to pivot from dramatic roles to high-stakes television, while also tackling the sensitive topic of menopause in a new medium, showcases an artist hitting a new creative peak.

Naomi Watts: A Comprehensive Career and Biography Profile

Naomi Ellen Watts is a British actress and producer, renowned for her work in films often exploring dark or tragic themes. She has successfully navigated both independent cinema and major Hollywood productions, earning two Academy Award nominations.

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• Full Name: Naomi Ellen Watts
• Date of Birth: September 28, 1968
• Place of Birth: Shoreham, Kent, England
• Nationality: British and Australian
• Spouse: Billy Crudup (m. 2023)
• Notable Early Work: *Flirting* (1991), *Tank Girl* (1995)
• Breakthrough Role: Betty Elms / Diane Selwyn in David Lynch’s *Mulholland Drive* (2001)
• Iconic Blockbuster Role: Ann Darrow in Peter Jackson’s *King Kong* (2005)
• Academy Award Nominations: Best Actress for *21 Grams* (2003) and *The Impossible* (2012)
• Recent Honors: Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (October 13, 2024)
• Current Focus (2025): Acting, Producing, and Authoring a book on Menopause.

Watts’s career is defined by her commitment to challenging roles, a trait she credits, in part, to the guidance she received from director David Lynch early in her career. Her portrayal of Ann Darrow in *King Kong* cemented her as a global star, a role she described as one where "anyone who sits in the hand of King Kong will be a..." star.

The 2025 Project Slate: From Hulu Drama to Indie Film Buzz

The year 2025 marks a significant period for Watts, with a diverse array of projects hitting screens and shelves. Her strategic choices show a clear intention to work with top-tier creators and tackle compelling, current subject matter.

1. Co-Starring in Ryan Murphy's Legal Drama *All's Fair* (Hulu)

Perhaps the most talked-about project of Watts’s 2025 schedule is the new legal drama television series *All's Fair*. Created by television titan Ryan Murphy, this Hulu series features a high-profile ensemble cast, including Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Teyana Taylor.

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The show centers on a team of female divorce attorneys who decide to leave their male-dominated firm to launch their own practice. Watts's involvement in a Ryan Murphy production, especially one with such a culturally significant co-star as Kim Kardashian, has generated substantial buzz. The series is set to stream on Hulu in 2025, positioning Watts at the center of a major pop culture moment.

2. The Highly Anticipated Film Adaptation *The Friend*

Shifting back to the independent film world where she first made her mark, Watts is starring in *The Friend*, a film that Bleecker Street acquired for a 2025 release. The project is produced under her own production banner, alongside Liza Chasin, indicating a growing role for Watts behind the camera as well as in front of it.

The film is based on a celebrated novel and features a unique co-star: Bing the Great Dane. The acquisition by Bleecker Street, a distributor known for quality independent cinema, suggests a film with strong critical and awards potential, further solidifying Watts’s reputation as a serious dramatic actress.

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Beyond the Screen: Authoring a Personal and Empowering Book

In a move that transcends her acting career, Naomi Watts is kicking off 2025 with the release of a personal book focused on the topic of menopause. This new project is a significant development, as it leverages her platform to address a subject often considered taboo in Hollywood and beyond.

The book is described as an empowering endeavor, offering a personal perspective on a natural life stage. This foray into authorship aligns with a broader cultural shift towards open discussion of women's health and aging, positioning Watts as a thought leader and advocate, not just an actress. Her candidness is a refreshing and powerful use of her celebrity.

A Recent Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In a fitting tribute to her enduring career, Naomi Watts was honored with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 13, 2024. This event served as a powerful capstone to her decades of work and a clear indicator of her established legacy in the industry. The star, the 2,825th in total, was a family affair, with her husband, actor Billy Crudup, on-hand for the ceremony.

The ceremony also featured a heartwarming reunion with her *King Kong* co-star, Jack Black. The presence of Black, who played Carl Denham in the 2005 film, highlighted the lasting impact of the Peter Jackson epic on her career and the strong bonds formed on set. This honor, coming just before her major 2025 project launches, underscores a moment of career reflection and continued momentum.

The Lasting Legacy of Ann Darrow and King Kong

While her new projects are exciting, the role of Ann Darrow remains central to her public identity. *King Kong* (2005), which also starred Jack Black and Adrien Brody, is a spectacular film that continues to be celebrated. Watts’s performance as the object of Kong’s affection and the link between the human world and the colossal beast is often cited as a modern take on the classic Fay Wray role.

Watts’s ability to bring humanity and vulnerability to a fantastical scenario is what made the film work. The movie is so iconic that its 20th anniversary is still being noted by film organizations, a testament to its cultural staying power. The enduring interest in the "king kong star watts" is a clear sign that her past triumphs continue to fuel anticipation for her future endeavors.

Naomi Watts’s 2025 calendar is a masterclass in career management, balancing high-stakes streaming television with critically-minded independent film and a deeply personal publishing venture. She has successfully transitioned from the scream queen of Skull Island to a powerful, multi-platform media figure, proving that the most exciting chapter of her career is still being written.