Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes has gotten slightly lost in the mix of big summer movies, but the same was true of the first film, which surprised many when despite relatively little buzz became a big hit.
However Fox is making sure we don’t forget about it completely as a slew of other big films are released over the coming few weeks.
Now 10 new images have arrived, along with commentary from Andy Serkis and director Matt Reeves, via USA Today.
Heres the synopsis: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earths dominant species.
Take a look at the new pics below.
The humans have been wiped out from a deadly simian virus, with the highly intelligent ape Caesar ( Andy Serkis) leading an ape nation in a take over of the entire planet.
Andy Serkis reveals Caesar has grown quite a bit since the last time we saw him in 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes. “We see him as a statesman and a leader and someone who has galvanized all of these apes. We see the beginning of their world.”
Director Matt Reeves comments on Caesar’s care-worn face. “You can see a real haunted quality.”
Andy Serkis says Caesar is not a fan of guns in the movie. “Caesar’s ethos is that apes do not like guns. He’s trying to find a peaceful accord with the humans who show up. He’s an empathetic character.”
Director Matt Reeves explains the story, with the few human survivors in need of electricity while the apes sort out their anti-human agenda. “In this story we are dealing with the razor’s edge of peace. Caesar struggles with the question of peace and how do you act as a father and a leader.”
Andy Serkis says there was an “ensemble cast” of other actors portraying primates in the film, all using motion-capture performances in outside locations such as New Orleans and the woods of Vancouver. In this story the apes have a major advantage: They don’t need the creature comforts the humans require.
Koba (Toby Kebbell) has a strong hatred for humans after his time in captivity, but he respects Caesar’s leadership.
The Apes have the capability of hydropower on their land in the Muir woods. The big question, Matt Reeves explains, is… “Can they coexist?”
Matt Reeves reveals that while Caesar and Koba have had their differences, Caesar is clearly the Alpha Male. “All of the apes follow Caesar with tremendous allegiance and respect. He is their king and sort of their father.
Malcolm, played by Jason Clarke, tries to make peace with the Apes. Both Malcolm and Caesar are fathers with wives. Says the director,
“The film centers around the notion of family. It’s the survival of family and what lengths you will go to in order to protect them.
Andy Serkis continued, “Caesar not only has a wife, but also an infant son and a teenage son. This film centers around the notion of family – the survival of the family and what lengths you would go to, to protect them when life is extremely hard and tough.”
Do the humans stand a chance? Maybe, maybe not explains Matt Reeves, “We all know it doesn’t become ‘Planet of the Humans and Apes,’ it becomes ‘Planet of the Apes’ But this is that one moment where there is hope for the humans.”