Unleashing the Secrets of the Monkey Kingdom: Insider Tips from the Star of Planet of the Apes

Owen Teague, star of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, sought advice from Andy Serkis, who played Caesar in the previous installments of the rebooted series. Teague, reportedly playing Caesar's son Cornelius, consulted with Serkis to prepare for the role. Despite the differences between motion capture acting and traditional acting, Serkis provided Teague with valuable guidance that aided him throughout the process. Teague shared his appreciation for Serkis' advice in an interview with THR.

Meeting Andy Serkis was a turning point for me as an aspiring actor, and when I got the opportunity to play this character, it felt like a lifelong dream come true. The biggest challenge was adapting to wearing a suit all day and having a camera attached to my head. However, after about a week, I was able to adjust and Andy's advice of not worrying about it was spot on.

In motion capture, the distinction between playing a human and any other character is simply a matter of costume, making the process of acting virtually indistinguishable from traditional methods. Adapting to the technique came naturally and quickly to me, and I find it to be a liberating experience. The essence of acting is distilled to its purest form, allowing for complete immersion in any character imaginable, regardless of how far removed it may be from one's real-life persona. It's an experience I thoroughly enjoy and hope to explore further in the future.

Andy Serkis' Motion Capture History Explained

Serkis has become a renowned actor for his exceptional motion capture performances. Although he has also starred in live-action roles, his motion capture work is truly outstanding. He gained recognition for portraying Caesar in all three films of the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise, but his contributions to the field began much earlier.

Serkis first brought the character of Gollum to life in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, showcasing his unparalleled talent in motion capture acting. While Gollum wasn't the first CGI character to be created using motion capture, his visual fidelity and the actor's performance underneath set a new standard. Following this pivotal role, Serkis went on to play the titular beast in King Kong and Baloo in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle through motion capture.

Serkis' remarkable performances as Caesar and Supreme Leader Snoke have established him as a leading figure in the realm of motion capture. Despite his absence in the upcoming Planet of the Apes film, the fact that Teague sought his counsel is a promising sign for the franchise's future.