On the morning of the premiere of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” actors Peter Macon and Ras-Samuel coincidentally found themselves staying at the same hotel. As they bumped into each other while grabbing breakfast, they didn’t exchange a casual wave or a simple hello. Instead, they embraced their roles as apes and greeted each other with a display of primal behavior. With lowered shoulders and a synchronized shuffle, they hooted and panted, expressing the joy of seeing a familiar face.
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“I’m certain that we must have attracted quite a bit of attention,” Macon confessed during an interview with Variety at the Los Angeles premiere on Thursday. “However, it’s important to note that our initial connection was established on a primal level, as apes, before anything else. And that bond will always remain intact.”
According to a report by Variety, the actors of “Kingdom” underwent a six-week training program called “ape school.” During this time, they learned how to walk, talk, play, and even ride horses like their primate characters. Director Wes Ball was impressed by their dedication to the program, recalling how he would occasionally enter their training room and be greeted by a group of apes. He admitted that it was a bit intimidating, but it speaks volumes about the actors’ commitment.
“They didn’t just portray the characters, they actually became them,” Ball remarked. “It’s ingrained in their very being now, so it will take them years to detach themselves from it.”
In “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” we are introduced to a young chimp named Noa (played by Owen Teague). Noa finds himself in a predicament where he must come to terms with the complex dynamics between humans and apes. Additionally, he takes on the responsibility of protecting his tribe from the malevolent ruler, Proximus Caeser (portrayed by Kevin Durand).
On his first day on set, Durand was introduced to the off-camera monkey business by his counterpart Teague. Teague invited Durand to escape the production and have a private conversation, completely in character.
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“We spent 45 minutes brainstorming and thinking on our feet,” Durand explained. “I shared my perspective as Proximus and tried to win him over, showing him that I wasn’t just a villain.”
Eka Darville, who portrays a 400-pound silverback gorilla, expressed that the most thrilling aspect of the entire experience was the ability to immerse himself in the role and allow his character to fully embody him.
“We dedicated a significant amount of time to fully embodying these beings and creatures, and it was an incredibly transformative experience for me as an actor,” Darville expressed. “Being able to truly become something else is something all actors crave to some extent.”
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” will be hitting theaters on May 8th.
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