The complexity of VFX and motion capture techniques Weta Digital developed to bring the films to life crescendo in War for the Planet of the Apes.
War is the third chapter of the critically acclaimed series. The story is centered around an epic battle of the species and has all the explosions and destruction that goes with it. But the heart of the film is focused on Caesar and his inner battle with his darker instincts as he resolves to avenge his kind.
War has more environmental extremes, more apes, and an increased level of detail in the apes’ performances. We adapted our on-set performance capture set-up to operate in the harsh snowy environments where much of the live action was shot. Our artists and technicians placed the digital characters meticulously into each scene, creating every foggy breath and every footprint in the snow.
Over the course of three films, Weta Digital has mastered the art of translating human actors to apes. The apes level of sentience has developed throughout each film and so too has Weta Digital’s techniques and toolsets. We have developed some of the most advanced techniques in the industry and our artists employ these tools to create exceptional CG characters.
Of particular note is the work by our facial animators. They are a very experienced team, especially when it comes to humanized apes. Their skill is exemplified in the returning original CG cast, as well as unique new-comers who will be revealed around the time of release — one of whom is destined to steal the show.
War for the Planet of the Apes releases on July 14, 2017