As the “dawn” approaches, allow us to fill you in on the eighth instalment of the “Planet of the Apes” series. Scheduled for release on 10th July, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is the sequel to 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”.
Synopsis: Set over a decade after the events in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the human race is on the verge of extinction after a deadly virus and civil unrest have all but wiped out mankind. In turn, a new breed of super-smart apes have flourished, evolving in complex ways that have helped the new simian civilization thrive. The humans and the apes reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brinks of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.
Sounds like something you’d watch? If that’s not convincing enough, check out some of these fun facts:
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One director out, another director in: In September 2012, There were reports that director Rupert Wyatt (of “The Escapist” fame) was considering leaving the sequel due to his concern that a May 2014 release date would not give him enough time to make the film properly. A month later, Matt Reeves (director of Cloverfield), was confirmed as his replacement.
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The epic Simian Flu campaign: About a year ago, a viral marketing campaign for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” was launched, which showcased the aftermath and health risks of Simian Flu. According to this (really believable) website, it’s deadly disease that has infected over 8.7 million people since 2011 (coincidentally, when “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was released). While 1 in 10 who get Simian Flu survive, in essence, the Simian Flu a global epidemic that threatens all of humanity.
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Two parallel stories to the movie: “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” will feature two parallel storylines; one featuring a group of scientists trying to survive the Simian Flu disease, while the other showcases Caesar’s (played by Andy Serkis) rise to power and dominance over the other self-aware Simians. It was also reported that Andy Serkis was offered a “healthy seven-figure deal” for him to reprise his role as Caesar.
Check out the official trailer here: