Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Clip Shows Villain Twisting Caesar’s Legacy

Summary

• In a new
  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
  clip, Proximus Caesar manipulates the legacy of the original Caesar, twisting his teachings to control and dominate the apes in the new clip.
• The symbol on Proximus Caesar’s ship abuses the original Caesar’s legacy, using it as a tool to extend his tyrannical rule.
• Proximus Caesar aims to hunt humans and control the apes, in stark contrast to the original Caesar’s vision of unity and coexistence.

A new Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes clip shows the villainous Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) manipulating the legacy of the original Caesar (Andy Serkis). The newest installment in the franchise takes place 300 years after Caesar’s death in War for the Planet of the Apes and will explore the impact of his legacy. Unlike the original Caesar, who fought for freedom and unity, Proximus Caesar is a tyrant, and has taken on the legendary ape’s name to get others to follow and obey him.

In the clip from 20th Century Studios, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes‘ protagonist Noa (Owen Teague) watches as dozens of apes worship Proximus Caesar and repeat his words, including his manipulative use of Caesar’s iconic phrase, “Apes together strong.” Check out the clip below:

The symbol drawn on the ship behind Proximus Caesar is another way of abusing Caesar’s legacy, as it is the design of the window in Caesar’s room when he lived with Will Rodman (James Franco) in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

What Proximus Caesar Wants In Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

Proximus Caesar Does Not Look Kindly On Humans

The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes marketing has highlighted Proximus Caesar as a ruthless conqueror using the original Caesar’s teachings and any means necessary to extend his rule. While the original Caesar wanted to liberate and unite the apes, and believed they could coexist with humans, Proximus Caesar wants to control the apes and have them hunt humans. In particular, the marketing has shown Proximus Caesar’s minions hunting a human girl named Mae (Freya Allan).

Why Proximus Caesar wants Mae specifically is being kept under wraps until the release of the film, although it is hinted that she possesses knowledge that the tyrant seeks, particularly since the marketing has shown she is able to speak, unlike other humans at this point in the Planet of the Apes timeline. This knowledge is likely linked to human technology. In one of the trailers, Proximus Caesar speaks of how humans were once able to “fly” and “speak across oceans.” With the secrets of specific human technology unlocked, Proximus Caesar could become more of a conqueror.

Serkis has teased a major twist in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which may be related to the secret Mae possesses, and what Proximus Caesar will do with that knowledge if he manages to learn it. It could be related to time travel or something even more perilous. Fortunately for apes and humans, Proximus Caesar isn’t the only ape taking on Caesar’s legacy, as the underdog Noa has been shown helping Mae and standing up against injustice and tyranny, proving he is the true continuation of Caesar’s teachings.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

releases in theaters on May 10.

Source: 20th Century Studios