The first part of the 20th Century Fox panel in Hall H at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con focused on Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
This movie looks to be every bit as good as its immediate predecessor, reuniting Andy Serkis with the role of Caesar.
According to the filmmakers, they wanted to tell an emotional story with Caesar at the heart of it.
Andy Serkis spoke at length about Cesar’s task of being a revolutionary leader, creating an egalitarian society out of the 2000 apes in their community. And it’s about how Caesar copes with his family and the other apes, and then having to deal with the return of the humans.
The teaser was played, humanity is in chaos and a human is going to the forest, asking to speak to to Caesar. Gary Oldman’s voice played prominent and we were given very few effects shots (as the film is still in production.) But the shot of Caesar in full war paint was pretty tremendous. Overall, the trailer was light on details, but it looked really good, intense but well put together. But isn’t that what all trailers are supposed to do?
Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a surprise for me, and this movie looks to emulate what worked in that film while at the same time advancing the Apes story in a way that seems utterly fascinating. I really hope it works.
It comes out April 2014, which is a more promising release date than most we were treated to in Hall H.
Check back later for more detailed coverage on the Marvel films, both from Fox and Disney.