Owen Teague, the talented actor, is gearing up for his directorial debut in the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Planet of the Apes reboot series, titled “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” As the film’s release in 2024 approaches, Teague recently shared his experience with The Hollywood Reporter, discussing the intricacies of the motion capture process and the valuable guidance he received from an esteemed Apes veteran.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” serves as a sequel to the 2017 film “War for the Planet of the Apes,” which featured the iconic motion capture performer Andy Serkis as Caesar, the leader of the apes. According to THR, Teague is set to portray Caesar’s son, Cornelius, in “Kingdom.” As production commenced, Teague had the opportunity to meet with Serkis, who provided him with advice on the art of motion capturing an ape. Teague expressed his admiration for Serkis, citing him as one of the reasons he pursued acting. He shared:
“The most challenging aspect was adapting to wearing a motion capture suit all day and having a camera attached to my head. However, after about a week, you become accustomed to it, and I remember Andy telling me, ‘You’ll get used to it and stop worrying about it after the first week.’ And he was absolutely right. The rest of the motion capture process is no different from any other acting work, and the distinction between playing a human and embodying another species becomes akin to wearing a costume. You don’t even think about it that much.”
While specific plot details remain scarce, “Kingdom” is set many years after the events of “War.” According to THR’s plot summary, numerous ape societies have flourished since Caesar led his people to an oasis, while humans have regressed into a feral existence. Within this backdrop, one ape leader begins to subjugate other groups to acquire human technology, while another ape, who witnessed his clan being captured, embarks on a quest for freedom.
“Wes Ball, the director renowned for his work on the Maze Runner trilogy, will be at the helm of ‘Kingdom,'” revealed Teague to THR. He further disclosed that Ball played a pivotal role in helping the cast immerse themselves in their ape personas, despite the absence of rendered motion capture. Teague commented, “Wes has a remarkable visual sensibility and was able to paint a vivid picture for us, making it effortless to imagine all the elements of the film. We referred to ourselves as ‘the apes’—we fully embodied our characters. We created a rich and detailed world for ourselves, making it easy to envision the movie.”
Joining Teague in the cast of “Kingdom” are Freya Allen, Peter Macon, Eka Darville, Kevin Durand, and William H. Macy. The script was crafted by a talented team including Josh Friedman, Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, and Patrick Aison. The film is being produced by Joe Hartwick Jr. for Oddball Entertainment, alongside Silver and Jaffa for Shinbone Productions, and Jason Reed. Meanwhile, Jenno Topping and Peter Chernin serve as executive producers for Chernin Entertainment.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is scheduled to hit theaters on May 24, 2024. Be sure to catch the trailer for “War for the Planet of the Apes” below: [Trailer link included]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about motion capture process
What is “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”?
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Planet of the Apes reboot series. It serves as a sequel to the 2017 film “War for the Planet of the Apes” and continues the story in a world where ape societies thrive while humans struggle for survival.
Who is Owen Teague in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”?
Owen Teague is an actor who is set to play the role of Cornelius, the son of Caesar, in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Teague’s character is a significant part of the evolving ape society in the film.
How did Owen Teague prepare for his role in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”?
Owen Teague prepared for his role by engaging in the motion capture process, which involved wearing a suit and having a camera attached to his head. He received valuable advice from Andy Serkis, a veteran in the art of motion capture, who helped him understand the intricacies of portraying an ape.
Who directed “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”?
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on the Maze Runner trilogy. His visual sensibility and ability to create a vivid world aided the cast in immersing themselves in their ape characters, even without the presence of fully rendered motion capture.
When will “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” be released?
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is scheduled to be released on May 24, 2024. Fans of the Planet of the Apes franchise can look forward to this highly anticipated film hitting the theaters on that date.
More about motion capture process
- The Hollywood Reporter: Owen Teague Prepared for ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ With Andy Serkis’ Help
- Collider: Owen Teague Talks about Motion Capture in ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’
- IMDb: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
- Screenrant: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Plot Details and Synopsis
- Variety: Wes Ball to Direct ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’
