The “Planet of the Apes” franchise returns next weekend with “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” directed by Wes Ball. This new chapter follows Caesar’s legacy, an ape played by Andy Serkis who led a revolution and transformed the world for his kind. Set centuries later, the film incorporates Caesar’s teachings as fables and religious beliefs within the ape society.
Peter Macon portrays Raka, an ape historian in “Kingdom,” who adheres to Caesar’s ideals. In an interview with ComicBook, Macon discussed Raka’s connection to Caesar ahead of the premiere of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”
“The valuable aspects of Caesar’s legacy from previous films,” Macon explained, “were his principles of ‘apes shall not kill apes’ and ‘apes and humans live side by side.’ However, as stories and fables are passed down, they tend to distort the truth. So, Caesar’s manifesto and philosophy survived, but piecing together his story requires an archaeological approach. Raka, being privy to this, has a different worldview than Noah and Proximus. Proximus acknowledges the existence of other clans, while Noah remains unaware. Ultimately, the true history is obscured by time, leaving them to piece together what they can.”
After receiving helpful information, I crafted a backstory by consulting with writers and Wes. This collaborative process ensured that the backstory coherently aligned with the overall narrative. Ultimately, I believe this approach is beneficial as it allows the audience to engage in analytical thinking and interpretation.
The highly anticipated film “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is slated to grace theaters nationwide on May 10th.