Matt Reeves: Caesar could be an ‘Ape Moses’ in the Next Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes was not only the surprise hit of the summer back in 2011, but it also welcomed, open arms, to critical acclaim and the studio greenlit a sequel pretty soon after its success. Matt Reeves’ follow-up, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, has only recently passed the $700 million mark at the worldwide box office and now the studio are talking about pushing Andy Serkis forward for an Academy Award nomination due to his spectacular motion-cap performance in the movie.

ComingSoon.net caught up with the cast and crew whilst they have been promoting the Blu-ray and DVD release of the Sci-Fi opus that is due out on December 2nd. Reeves had a lot to say about the inevitable next chapter in the franchise, which has a planned release date for July 29, 2016: “The first one is sort of how [Caesar] goes from humble beginnings to becoming a revolutionary,” says Reeves. “In ‘Dawn,’ he really rose to 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.”

Reeves also explained Serkis’ approach towards the character of Caesar. Explaining that Serkis plays the character very much like an “outsider”, never really feeling part of either side. Reeves also explained that this will be a vital characteristic that will pass on over to the next chapter: “A thing I always found very moving was the concept of a character that was [an outsider].

“Andy [Serkis] 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] said that [he] felt [he] was human until the one day it was made clear that that [he isn’t]. [He] said 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.”

Andy Serkis – who is seen as the Godfather of motion-cap – has been on the Acadamy’s case for a while now about their failure to include – and appreiciate – the talent that goes into motion-cap performances. However, other actors are apparently worried incase motion-cap will eventually take over in the industry and take their jobs – which is just absolutely ridiculous. But it looks like the Academy may now be willing to take motion-cap performances into consideration. Pitch in with your thoughts and sound off in the comment section below troops.