The ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Cast Can’t Stop Greeting Each Other as Primates: ‘That Is Never Going to Go Away’

At the "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" premiere, actors Peter Macon and Ras-Samuel greeted each other in character as apes, highlighting their deep immersion into their roles. The cast underwent six weeks of intensive "ape school" to embody their primate characters authentically, with director Wes Ball noting their transformation was so complete it was intimidating.

The film follows a young chimp named Noa navigating the complex relations between humans and apes while combating an evil king. Actor Kevin Durand shared that the cast's commitment extended off-camera, engaging in improvised character interactions to deepen their portrayals. The actors described the experience as transformative, allowing them to fully inhabit their roles.