It’s refreshing to witness a director’s enthusiasm for Blu-ray special features, especially as physical releases of films become less common in retail outlets. Wes Ball, director of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, recently shared his excitement about the upcoming release’s special features in an interview with YouTube’s Ape Nation.
In an era where special features on physical releases have taken a backseat compared to a decade ago, Planet of the Apes fans have reason to rejoice. Wes Ball revealed his plans for the DVD release, stating, “I’m doing a little thing for the DVD where you can watch the movie — the entire movie — with the raw dailies.”
This feature will allow fans to going into the filmmaking process, comparing the final cut with the raw footage. Ball added, “I’ll do some commentary over it with Erik [Winquist], our VFX [supervisor]. I think it’s gonna be great. For geeks like us, it’s gonna be a first. They’ve never seen this kind of thing.”
This behind-the-scenes content will undoubtedly cater to die-hard fans interested in the intricacies of the film’s production. It will also provide insight into the motion-capture process, showcasing the differences between the actors’ performances and the final CGI characters.
In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the majority of characters are apes brought to life through motion-capture technology. Ball highlighted the challenges of integrating CGI characters with live-action elements, emphasizing the film’s groundbreaking visual effects.
While such extensive special features are rare, they serve as a treat for fans and movie enthusiasts alike. This immersive content could incentivize viewers to add Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to their home collection.
As a filmmaker with a background in visual effects, Wes Ball’s passion for offering an inside look at the film’s creation is evident. While he refrained from revealing too much about the upcoming release, fans can expect more exciting features in addition to the raw dailies and commentary.
In the meantime, audiences eagerly await the theatrical premiere of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on May 10, 2024.
