Currently in production is Fox’s highly-anticipated sequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. A lot of people are looking forward to this one, and understandably so. I, on the other hand, am remaining skeptical. Rise of the Planet of the Apes didn’t do much for me, and though I like how they seem to be going darker for the follow-up and have assembled quite the cast, I’m going to reserve judgement until I see a bit more footage.
Today, Empire has debuted a new set photo that features Toby Kebbell in his mo-cap suit. The actor is set to play alpha ape Koba in the film, which takes place 15 years after its predecessor and sees Caesar (Andy Serkis) trying to “assert his dominance over the apes while a small human colony struggles to survive in San Francisco.”
Again, it both sounds and looks like they’re heading in a darker direction here, and the story seems to have a bigger focus on the apes than the first one, which is definitely a good thing. I just still don’t know if I’m that excited for the film. I really feel like Rise was overrated and after seeing it three times, I’m still confused as to what all the fuss was about. That being said, I’m curious to see how this one turns out and am hopeful that it will re-ignite my interest in the franchise.
Co-starring Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Gary Oldman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Enrique Murciano, and Judy Greer, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will open in 3D on July 18th.