Caesar to become an 'Ape Moses' in next PLANET OF THE APES says director Matt Reeves

One of my favourite movies of 2014 is undoubtedly Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, a movie that took motion-capture to a new level and received critical acclaim across the board, even from me. So I think it is quite natural that I am all ears when any new information comes out about what director Matt Reeves has in store for our brethren apes.

At a recent Apes Global Event, where Andy Serkis (who plays lead ape Caesar in both Rise and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) admitted that having the apes speak and communicate was “the biggest and most terrifying part” for him, director Matt Reeves commented on where Caesar has come from, and where his evolution will take him in the next film:

“The first one is sort of how [Caesar] goes from humble beginnings to becoming a revolutionary. In Dawn, he really rose to the occasion of becoming a leader in really challenging and difficult times. The notion of what we’re after with the third is to sort of continue that trajectory and see how he becomes a seminal figure in ape history. He almost becomes sort of like an ape Moses. A mythic status… We’re trying to play out those themes and continue to sort of explore it in this universe. Exploring human nature under the guise of apes.”

One of the reasons I love this re-imagining of the Planet of the Apes saga is that this time it is from the point of view of Caesar, an ape brought up by humans who intrinsically has this inner-war between nature and nurture. It’s this conflict, says Reeves, that adds dimensions to the character and also leaves him standing on the outside looking in:

“A thing I always found very moving was the concept of a character that was [an outsider]. Andy told me the way he played him and the thing that really moved me was that [Caesar] was really all about being an outsider. [He was a] human until the one day it was made clear that that he isn’t, it felt like heartbreak. Like, ‘Oh, I’m not one of them!’ Then he’s thrown in with the apes, but he’s not one of them either. He’s an outsider to both. That was very moving to me because he’s an outsider to both but connected to both. He is the unique character in this story to be able to connect between the human and the ape world.”

I recently re-watched Dawn with my older brother, someone who was brought up on the original films and was pleased he also enjoyed the reboot with its strong undertones of loyalty, family and honour. I can only imagine what the third will bring but am sure that whatever Reeves has in store it’ll blow our minds.

The next movie is set for a July 29, 2016 release and I cannot wait!<

Last Updated: November 11, 2014