Can you believe that amidst the groundbreaking visual effects and gripping storytelling, the Planet of the Apes franchise has not yet won that coveted golden statuette? Wes Ball, the visionary director slated to helm the upcoming fourth installment in this iconic sci-fi franchise (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), has recently voiced a sentiment that many of us would agree with.
He called it “criminal” that no Planet of the Apes movies has yet won an Oscar—and he is not wrong. With our own eyes, we have seen the evolution of this series from its groundbreaking start in 1968 to the recent masterpieces, where the transformative effects and poignant narratives have consistently raised the bar for filmmaking.
![Caesar in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes [Credit: 20th Century Studios]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05110613/Caesar-in-Dawn-of-the-Planet-of-the-Apes-Credit-20th-Century-Studios.jpeg)
Wes Ball’s Opinion on Planet of the Apes Snub at the Oscars
The upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes marks the tenth installment in the long-running franchise, and of course, it will not be the last. Prior to its release later this week, director Wes Ball hinted that it would be the first in a planned trilogy (see ComicBook). Regretfully, the franchise was never eligible to receive an Oscar at the Academy Awards.
In a recent interview with AP Entertainment, Ball, 43, expressed his frustration regarding the lack of recognition for the Planet of the Apes film series at the Oscars. Not a single film in the franchise has ever won an Oscar, despite being praised for its innovative visual effects, storytelling, and winning critical acclaim.
The director stated:
“I think people don’t understand the level of craft and artistry that is involved in making these movies..I think it’s criminial that these Apes movies have never won a Visual Effects Awards…I think it’s crazy; I will do my part to change that.”
According to a 2017 Deadline article, Fox made a concerted effort to hav Warr for the Planet of the Apes recognized during the awards season in the hopes of winning an Oscar. From Andy Serkis’ compelling performance as Caesar to the seamless blending of live-action and CGI, these films have consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in cinema.
Even Serkis has never been nominated for an acting Oscar, which many people believe is downright criminal. Let us take a look at some of the comments left by fans via X:
He's definitely right, over the years they've given us quality visuals with little or no errors. They deserve it
— sufee_senpai (@SufyanMusa_) May 5, 2024
He’s right. Andy Serkis deserved an acting nomination too tbh.
— RJ (@ResonantJustice) May 5, 2024
Andy the man behind this magic 🥵🤌
It's a shame 😭 they didn't appreciate his hard work 😭 pic.twitter.com/koakExOpRB
— FILMYTORCH (@filmytorch) May 5, 2024
Fair statement cause Maurice IS the most flawlessly realistic CG character of all time.
Like that's not visual effects.
That's a real orangutan they filmed on set.— LŪX💡 (@LUX_NG23) May 5, 2024
These movies all feel like underdogs but are legitimately some of the best cinema of the last fifteen years. I just watched them again, but with my kids, a couple of weeks ago, and they loved them.
— Kris Van Houten (@krivaten) May 6, 2024
Despite Serkis’ groundbreaking work in critically acclaimed motion-capture films such as The Lord of the Rings film series, and the Planet of the Apes franchise, the actor has faced tremendous resistance from the Academy when it comes to receiving nominations for his roles.
Planet of the Apes VFX Artist’s Views on the Films’ Missed Opportunity at the Oscars
The groundbreaking 1968 release of the first Planet of the Apes by Franklin J. Schaffner contributed to its subsequent reputation as one of the greatest motion pictures ever produced. The flicks created such a great buzz that many people were hoping they would win Academy Awards—not just for the incredible visual effects, but also for Andy Serkis’ acting and perhaps even for Best Picture.
During an episode of The Corridor Crew, VFX artist Sean Walker expressed his resentment over the absence of an Oscar nomination. Walker served as lead lighting technical director for both Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
He stated in the interview:
“I knew when we were working on it, it was something special. Rise was kind of that stepping stone, and then when we had Dawn, I just knew this is sort of pinnacle effects… I was very disappointed that it didn’t win the Oscars. I think all three of them were robbed. [Laughs]”
Although there has been much discussion over those Oscar snubs, Serkis once stated in 2018 that progress is being made. The actor told ScreenCrush:
“Oh yeah, definitely. I mean, the Academy is openly, they’ve written emails to the acting branch saying we have to now acknowledge performance in the broadest sense.”
That being said, let us hope that Wes Ball’s comments spark a conversation within the film industry about the need for more diversity and acknowledgment when it comes to films deserving of Oscars.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is scheduled to be released on May 10, 2024.
