Planet of the Apes: Caesar Set To Begin Production In July

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

News of 20th Century Fox's plans to reboot the "Planet of the Apes" franchise were first announced way back in the fall of 2008, and now, a year and a half later, production is set to begin.

In that long time span the new 'Apes' film has changed directors and names. Now, relatively unknown UK film maker, Rupert Wyatt, has taken over the director's chair from Scott Frank. Wyatt's resume is not a long one, his recent film projects include, "Ticks" (1999), "Subterrain" (2001), "Get the Picture" (2004) and "The Escapist" (2008). At present, Wyatt is finishing up work on his latest film, "Birdsong".

Originally, Fox was playing with the idea of calling the film, "Genesis: Apes", but then quickly decided to call the film simply "Caesar". Now, they have again changed their minds, opting to connect the film to their prior "Apes" franchise by calling it "Planet of the Apes: Caesar".

If you know your "Planet of the Apes" movie trivia, then you know that "Caesar" was the offspring of Cornelius and Zira, who traveled back to modern times, after Taylor blew the Earth to smithereens. Caesar would grow up to lead his fellow simians out of slavery and overthrow mankind. Reportedly, that is where this new "Apes" series will begin, not with the arrival of present day humans to a future, already, dominated by talking primates.

Here is the plot for the film, as it was described by Scott Frank, when he was in charge:

"Caesar" (Planet of the Apes: Caesar) will follow the story of a hyper-intelligent chimpanzee who is created through genetic engineering. I want to create a character, who the audience will be able to really feel for, although his final actions will be hard for us humans to swallow."

At that time, it was that directors intention to ditch the use of humans in 'ape' makeup for more 'real-looking' simian characters, in other words, CGI apes.

Now that the film is under the control of Wyatt, things may have changed? It now appears that Fox may have come to their senses, due to the fact that they probably received a few nasty letters from POTA fans, and now wants to do a movie that is more in line with the original five films, television, and cartoon series.

At least, we can hope that they are.

"Planet of the Apes: Caesar" is set to begin filming in July.

See Also: Scott Frank Plans To Take Planet Of The Apes In A New Direction / Is Fox Planning To Re-Boot The Planet Of The Apes?

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971)(20th Century Fox) / Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970)(20th Century Fox) / Actress Profile - Linda Harrison / Planet Of The Apes (1974)(TV) / Planet Of The Apes (1968)

Scott Frank Plans To Take Planet Of The Apes In A New Direction

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: io9.com / CHUD.com / Avery Guerra

Early last month I reported that Fox was thinking about re-launching the "Planet of the Apes" movie franchise. Well today there was confirmation that indeed a brand-new "Apes" film is in the early stages of development.

Scott Frank has been signed on to direct "Caesar", (Not "Genesis: Apes" as previously believed) a film that starts off the whole "Simians ruling the Earth" story from the beginning. Frank wants fans to know that his film will NOT be a remake of the 1972 movie "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes." Although the result may end up the same, the means will be very different.

"Caesar" will follow the story of a hyper-intelligent chimpanzee who is created through genetic engineering. The director is dedicated in creating a character who the audience will be able to really feel for, although his final actions will be hard for us humans to swallow.

Frank has also stated that he wants to steer away from the man-in-the-suite style and make-up that was created by John Chambers for the original "Planet of the Apes" films. Presently the director is playing with the idea of using CGI to create a "photoreal chimpanzee" (one who is facially modified by the genetic engineering that grants him his intelligence).

Also don't expect the title character to talk.

Presently Frank is working on a re-write of the script, which he hopes will be grounded in character and science, yet have a very real feel.

See Also: Is Fox Planning To Re-Boot The Planet Of The Apes? / Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971)(20th Century Fox) / Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970)(20th Century Fox) / Actress Profile - Linda Harrison / Planet Of The Apes (1974)(TV) / Planet Of The Apes (1968)