Apocalyptic Apes: The Final Cut

Behind the Scenes of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

A lot of work goes into turning human actors into intelligent primates for the Planet of the Apes movie franchise, and now fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at that complicated process thanks to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Director Wes Ball’s New Installment

Director Wes Ball’s new installment in the franchise, which takes place 300 years after 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes, comes out on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on Aug. 27. This is the only way fans can see a side-by-side cut of the movie using the raw performance-capture footage next to the final version — the first time an entire film has been released this way.

Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut

“Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut” is a full-length split-screen version of the movie included as a special feature on the 4K Blu-ray. It features unfinished VFX and shows how the actors use motion capture to deliver their performances as apes. Optional audio commentary by the director, editor Dan Zimmerman, and VFX supervisor Erik Winquist enhances the viewing experience. Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive clip from the raw cut featuring young chimpanzee hunter Noa and ruthless leader Proximus Caesar, as human Nova looks on in shock.

“During the year or so spent in post-production, working on more than 1,500 VFX shots, we would frequently compare our VFX works-in-progress with the original footage,” Ball tells EW. “I often found myself completely mesmerized by the magic of WetaFX’s work and how seamlessly it translated from the raw dailies. Around the latter half of post, it struck me how fantastic it would be to share this experience with fans like myself — those who relish peeking behind the curtain of movie making.”

Unique Release of Raw Cut

Ball was pleasantly surprised at the response he got to his idea. “When I brought the idea to the studio, there was unsurprisingly no resistance,” he says. “The only challenge we faced was logistical — navigating the technicalities of ‘data budgets’ and figuring out how to include an entirely separate version of the film on the discs without sacrificing visual quality.”

Celebrating Filmmaking Process

“[But] for those fascinated by the filmmaking process — especially with VFX films like Kingdom — they’re going to love it,” Ball adds. “It’s a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the cutting edge of modern cinema.”

Ball was inspired to release this raw cut because he grew up “in the era of DVDs and their rich behind-the-scenes features.”

“I often found myself watching those documentaries more than the movies themselves,” he says. “This release is my way of offering something that would have inspired me as a young filmmaker and celebrating the extraordinary work behind the scenes. Without their dedication, these films simply wouldn’t exist.”

Exploring the Future

Ball is excited to see what the future holds after the release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is now available on Digital and Hulu, and the 4K Blu-ray will be released on Aug. 27.

FAQs

Q: When will Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes be available for purchase?

A: The movie is set to be released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on Aug. 27.

Q: What special feature is included in the 4K Blu-ray release?

A: The release includes “Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut,” a split-screen version of the movie featuring unfinished VFX and raw performance-capture footage.

Q: Why did the director decide to share the raw cut of the film?

A: The director wanted to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process and celebrate the work of the VFX team and the actors.

Credit: ew.com