Director Wes Ball unveils “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the latest addition to the iconic sci-fi franchise, as both a sequel and a prequel, adding a new layer of depth to the beloved series. With its unique storyline and blend of old and new, the film promises an exciting adventure for fans old and new alike.
As the tenth installment in the “Planet of the Apes” saga, “Kingdom” follows the events of the reboot trilogy, including “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011), “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014), and “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017). Director Wes Ball, renowned for his work on the “Maze Runner” movies, describes the film as standing on its own while paying homage to its predecessors.
“It’s certainly big shoes to fill,” remarked Ball during the London launch of the film. “We had to really decide if we had something good here. And I think we do. We have a reason to exist, we’re not just a part four, we’re kind of our own thing. We try to honor what came before, with the previous trilogy, but also the original 1968 movie.”
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” unfolds several generations after the events of its predecessor, focusing on the journey of a young and brave ape named Noa (portrayed by Owen Teague). When his peaceful clan is attacked, and his family is taken away, Noa embarks on a quest to find them. Along the way, he encounters an elderly orangutan and Nova/Mae (played by Freya Allan), the first human he has ever met, leading him to discover difficult truths about the past and shaping the future of the planet.
“It’s unique characters this time, it’s younger characters. There’s a kind of youthful spirit. It’s a bit more of an adventure. It’s a road movie as we travel across this landscape that’s slowly disappearing, the ruins of our world,” explained Ball.
Like its predecessors, “Kingdom” utilizes motion-capture technology to bring its non-human characters to life. The cast underwent rigorous training in “ape school,” guided by movement coach Alain Gauthier, a former Cirque du Soleil performer and project director. Additionally, actor Andy Serkis, known for his portrayal of Caesar in the previous films, served as a special consultant to help the actors embody their characters.
“I’m very proud to, in a tiny way, be associated with its journey and sort of passing on the baton to the next generation and watching them create such an incredible movie,” remarked Serkis.
The global release of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” kicks off on May 8, promising audiences a thrilling cinematic experience. – ref: Reuters
