"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" hits theaters this Friday, promising an epic adventure that goes beyond just talking about apes. Believe it or not, the stars of the movie, Owen Teague and Freya Allan, couldn't stop talking about their encounters with leeches during the six months of filming in Australian jungles.
"It was like a leech invasion out there," recalls Teague, who plays the ape protagonist Noa. "Those slimy creatures were everywhere, and they were disgusting!" Allan, who portrays the resilient human Mae, adds, "I had nothing but holes in my costume, so those leeches had easy access. It was a nightmare!"
But leeches weren't the only challenge on set. Allan remembers the nerve-wracking moment when a crew member had to brush off a white-tailed spider from her face. "That definitely got my heart racing," she admits. And then there were the rogue eucalyptus tree branches, which posed a constant threat, especially during windy days. "I never thought I'd be worried about trees," says Allan, laughing. "But there we were, dodging branches left and right."
Director Wes Ball acknowledges the risks of shooting in real locations but believes it adds authenticity to the film. "There's something magical about being in the actual environment," he explains. "It helps blur the line between reality and fantasy, which is essential for a movie like 'Kingdom.'"
The movie utilizes cutting-edge motion capture technology to bring its ape characters to life. Teague underwent extensive training to embody Noa, adopting a chimpanzee's mannerisms and speech patterns. "It's about creating a believable character, not just imitating an ape," he says. Allan found acting alongside actors in motion capture suits surprisingly seamless. "Owen's performance as an ape was so convincing," she says. "It felt like I was interacting with a real creature."
Despite initial doubts about continuing the "Apes" franchise, Ball decided to explore new territory with "Kingdom." The film introduces a new generation of characters and delves deeper into the complex relationship between humans and apes.
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