Summary

• Caesar's death impacts future Apes films, shaping new characters and exploring darker paths.
• Caesar's demise in War for the Planet of the Apes sets up a mythic legacy for the character.
• The legacy of Caesar lives on in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, influencing new leaders and sparking conflict.

Caesar's quiet and bittersweet death in War for the Planet of the Apes was a crucial part of the franchise's overarching story. This legacy continues to reverberate through ape society centuries later, as seen in the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Played by Andy Serkis across three films, Caesar became the most compelling character in the Planet of the Apes franchise. Raised by humans but among the first evolved apes, Caesar became a crucial player in the development and growth of the ape society that would go on to replace humanity as the dominant species on Earth.

The trilogy charted his life, from his birth in Rise of the Planet of the Apes to Caesar's death in the third film. The impact felt by the character can be seen in the characters from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, who shape themselves in light of the legacy Caesar left behind. However, that noble path that Caesar carved out for the apes has some dark potential paths, as illustrated by a new villain who seeks to use the memory of Caesar for his own personal gain. Here's how Caesar's death impacts future Planet of the Apes films.

Caesar Dies After Being Shot By Preacher In War For The Planet Of The Apes

Caesar's Death Is The Perfect Way To Give The Character Closure

Caesar's death at the hands of Preacher in War For The Planet Of The Apes was a major turning point for the franchise and set up the new direction for the series going forward. Caesar was the central character in the Planet Of The Apes prequel trilogy, with the films tracking how the character evolved from a test subject in a lab to eventually becoming the leader of the apes. Caesar's arc steadily saw him fight to create a haven for his fellow apes. However, this journey brought him into conflict with humanity across the Planet of the Apes timeline.

Even while defending his fellow apes, Caesar wrestled with his own humanity throughout the series, developing a code of honor and nobility that transformed him into a strong leader. In the climax of War for the Planet of the Apes, Caesar was fatally wounded by Preacher. This is a tragic consequence of Caesar's earlier mercy towards the soldier, leading to his demise. The film (and Caesar's trilogy) ends with Caesar's friend Maurice promising Caesar that his son Cornelius (and by extension the rest of the apes) will remember him and what he accomplished before Caesar slumps over and dies peacefully.

Why War For The Planet Of The Apes Killed Caesar

Caesar's Death Gives The Trilogy A Truly Epic Arc

Caesar was the core character across the Planet of the Apes prequel trilogy, serving as the driving factor in three films. Andy Serkis played the character in all three movies, getting to chart the full life of the character. As Serkis and War of the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves explained during an interview with IGN, the character's death was a means of transforming him into something "mythic." For Reeves, the central arc for Caesar in War for the Planet of the Apes centers around whether he can retain his empathy after all his losses across the series.

After losing his wife and eldest son to human soldiers early in the film, War for the Planet of the Apes forces Caesar to become a harsher figure while combating the Colonel. Ultimately, though, he resists revenge, retains his humanity, and helps establish an enduring ape society. Ending the film with Caesar's death after this accomplishment makes him, in the words of Reeves, a "Moses" like figure to the future generations that come after him. Dying after ensuring his people's survival underlines the importance of this arc, with Caesar's somber death pushing his story into something more mythic going forward.

How Caesar's Death Impacts The Planet Of The Apes Franchise Future

Caesar's Death Set Up Future Planet Of The Apes Films To Go Into The Future

Despite being the face of the series for three films, the death of Caesar in War for the Planet of the Apes expands the scope of the Planet of the Apes franchise going forward. Caesar's demise gives the character a sense of closure that can evade overarching protagonists while drawing attention to how his legacy has impacted his world. The next entry in the series, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, takes place centuries after the death of Caesar. In that time, ape society has begun to form into the government featured in the original Planet of the Apes.

It's also clear that Caesar's legacy lives, highlighting his legendary status within the fledgling ape society. Kingdom of the Planet Apes suggests that Caesar has retained importance in the ape society, becoming the leader spoken of in legends as Reeves and Serkis intended. It's to the point that other apes hoping to draw attention and rally support will adopt the name Caesar as a means of showing authority. However, it's not just heroic and noble figures who can use this to their advantage, which sets up the primary antagonist and thematic arc of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Who Planet Of The Apes' Caesar Replacement Is After War

The Character Named After Caesar Doesn't Take Over The Original Caesar's Role

In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Proximus Caesar has established himself as the ruler of the primary ape society. Played by Kevin Durand, Proximus is an ambitious and dangerous leader who seeks to harness the full scope of human technology and invention to spread his authority across the world. Within the film, Proximus has taken on the name of Caesar almost as if it were a title. This draws natural comparisons between him and v. Proximus attempts to use this as a means of showcasing his power. This highlights how Caeser's legacy can be corrupted into something darker

Despite boasting the same name as Caeser, the scenes of Proximus in trailers tease a harsh dictator. Caeser's true spiritual heir in the series is Noa, a young Chimpanzee played by Owen Teague. Noa shares a sense of empathy and humanity with Caeser, a far cry from the brutal and boastful Proximus. Caeser's death was inevitable, especially if the series wanted to explore different time periods. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes retroactively adds several compelling layers to Caeser's death in War for the Planet of the Apes, highlighting the positive — and negative — impact of Caeser's legacy.