“We were always running likemaniacsto make that movie,” says Reeves.
But Fox, the studio behind theApesfranchise, did something unusual when it came to developing a sequel.
“They actually gave ustime,” Reeves says.
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
We talked about our lives.
We talked about history stories.
And then we watched alotof movies."
The collaborators went back and watched all the films in theApesfranchise, but they also sought broader inspiration.
“We watchedBridge on the River Kwai,” says Reeves.
“We watchedThe Great Escape.
We watchedBen-Hur,The Ten Commandments.
As Reeves and Bomback set to writing the screenplay, there were echoes of some of their favorite films.
ButWaris also a quest narrative, with mythic western overtones.
And Reeves is sincere when he refers to Caesar in biblical terms.
you’re free to imagine the story of him would inspire religions.”
War for the Planet of the Apesopens July 14.
