After adding Jason Clarke and Kodi Smit-McPhee to the cast of his upcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, director Matt Reeves has now recruited another respectable thespian to his film: Gary Oldman. The highly acclaimed actor will play Dreyfus, the “leader of the human resistance after the apes have taken power.”
Set to take place 15 years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the apes have now taken over the globe, led by their fearless leader Caesar who will once again be portrayed by Andy Serkis. We don’t know much more about the plot but it has been revealed that at least one aspect of it will focus on a “group of San Francisco scientists who form a resistance.” That’s likely where Oldman will factor in.
Though I didn’t love the first film, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is looking very promising. In fact, everything about the film has me excited. I think Reeves is an excellent director and I’m very happy to see James Franco gone, I can’t stand the guy. The cast that Reeves is assembling also has me hopeful, as newcomers Clarke and Smit-McPhee both have a ton of talent and Oldman, well, he’s kind of a god when it comes to acting.
Frankly, I’m a bit surprised to see Oldman joining a film like this. After finishing up with The Dark Knight trilogy I thought he’d be done with franchise films and big blockbusters, at least for a while. It appears not though, but that’s fine with this writer. I love Gary Oldman, he’s flawless in every role he takes on and I’m certain that he can inject something truly special into Matt Reeves’ upcoming film.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will open on May 23, 2014. Tell us, what do you think of Oldman joining the cast?
