By Cecilia Sarantopoulos

Many generations ago, apes and humans shared their world, but that era has long passed. As the eagerly awaited new chapter of the Planet of the Apes saga, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, approaches its premiere on Friday, May 10, audiences will be introduced to a fresh ensemble cast—and a new ape kingdom under a new ape leader.

Set several generations after the events of the phenomenally successful trilogy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes follows the story of Noa, a young ape determined to challenge the tyrannical reign of Proximus Caesar, who has twisted the legacy of Caesar beyond recognition. Directed by Wes Ball, the 20th Century Studios film will take viewers on an epic journey into the heart of this evolving conflict, though it can also be watched as a standalone film.

Let’s delve into the characters who shape the narrative of this sprawling universe:

Noa
At the heart of the tale is Noa (Owen Teague), a kind and resolute young ape. Forced by circumstances to defend his home, the Eagle Clan, Noa embarks on a journey of self-discovery during which he wrestles with who to trust and must draw upon his inner strength along the way.

Proximus Caesar
Feared by all, Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) is a force to be reckoned with. As the new ruler of the ape kingdom, he seeks to secure dominance by appropriating human knowledge and technology, ensuring the continued supremacy of his kind.

Mae
Mae (Freya Allan) is a human whose ability to speak defies the expectations of Noa and his fellow apes. Mae’s intelligence and unique bond with the apes raise questions about where her loyalties truly lie in this evolving world.

Raka
Raka (Peter Macon), an orangutan, clings to the ideals of peace and coexistence espoused by Caesar. With unwavering hope, Raka seeks to impart Caesar’s wisdom to Noa and preserve Caesar’s legacy.

Soona
Soona (Lydia Peckham) is one of Noa’s closest companions. Brave and loyal, she shares in Noa’s adventures and stands by his side through thick and thin.

Anaya
Rounding out the Eagle Clan trio of friends is Anaya (Travis Jeffery). Though less bold than Soona, Anaya’s dedication to their cause—and humor—is unwavering.

By the D23 Team

Fans of Planet of the Apes movies are in for an unforgettable journey when 20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes debuts in theaters on Friday, May 10. Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the epic franchise, setting this film several generations after the reign of Caesar, the ape leader whose journey was traced in the hit films Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).

At the start of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, it’s clear that apes are now the dominant species on the planet, while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader, Proximus Caesar, builds his empire, a young ape named Noa undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

Recently, D23 was lucky enough to sit down with Ball and a number of other journalists as the director shared clips of some of the most incredible and imaginative moments from the upcoming movie. When Ball entered the room, everyone could feel his excitement—it was contagious! We were all drawn in, as if watching the opening sequence of one of his films.

“We’re still in that same world” from the previous trilogy, Ball explained. “We’re still in that universe, and we see what has survived. Whole buildings are dissolving away. I love the idea of a world—our world—that is disappearing.” As for Caesar, Ball said, viewers will wonder “what has happened to his stories, his legacy, his teachings?”

Wasting no time, Ball took us through a moment of a few chimpanzee brothers bonding over their Eagle Tribe’s rite of passage. The visual detail on the chimpanzees was incredible; the way their emotions came through their eyes and body language alone is a testament to the amount of time Ball spent working with the actors. That included several weeks of training with a movement coach before filming began, as well as a visit by Andy Serkis, who schooled the cast on what he’d learned playing Caesar in the previous three movies.

“You’re walking around in this silly-looking [performance-capture] suit, and you [feel like you] look ridiculous,” Ball recounted, channeling the actors’ initial anxiety. Serkis helped them to understand “how you just get past that and just be—just do it. Be authentic. I think it was a real journey for all the [performers] at first.”

Ball shared how well the cast and crew bonded together as the performers got comfortable in the performance-capture suits. In fact, the actors became so intertwined with their characters, Ball said, that they would have fun messing with him in between sets, just like real life chimpanzees having fun with their favorite caregiver.

Next, as Ball took us through some of the different landscapes featured in the movie—which was shot in Australia, largely on location—it became evident that he brought a considerable amount of beauty to this post-apocalyptic world. The realistic landscapes “create a different look for this movie,” Ball said. “It’s a lush, beautiful world that underneath is haunted with the remains of our existence.”

Viewers familiar with his previous work (the Maze Runner trilogy, Ruin) will get a fresh take on a post-apocalyptic world, this one filled with lush, vibrant lands that surround Noa as he ventures forth from his home.

Circumstances, Ball teased, “pull him on this grand adventure, and we reveal these bigger stories as our young character, Noa, goes off and learns about Caesar”—and so much more. “At the core of these movies really is, can apes and humans live together? That’s ultimately what it comes down to. We’re trying to be a thinking person’s movie as well as entertaining.”

Lastly, of course, Ball had to end our day with a line from Proximus Caesar, “What a wonderful day!”—already a familiar catch phrase from the movie’s trailers.

What a wonderful day we had, indeed. Count on us to be there on Day 1 to watch this incredible movie. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be in theaters beginning on Friday, May 10, 2024, available in IMAX^®, Dolby Cinema^®, 4DX, ScreenX, and premium screens. Tickets are now on sale wherever movie tickets are sold online.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is directed by Wes Ball and stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy. The film is written by Josh Friedman, based on characters created by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. The producers are Wes Ball, Joe Hartwick Jr., Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Jason Reed, with Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping serving as executive producers.