Image Credit: M Public Relations
War for the Planet of the Apes was released last Friday and already the third film in the rebooted Apes franchise has displaced Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: Homecoming as top of the box office. War for the Planet of the Apes brought in an estimate $56.5 million domestic this past weekend.
The film tells the Planet of the Apes origin story of how highly intelligent apes slowly take over planet Earth. Recently, The Hudsucker sat down with actor Dean Redman to talk about the movie, his role, and who or what he thinks the real villains of the series are.
The Hudsucker: You play Stone in War for the Planet of the Apes. Did you watch the original ’60s or ’70s films?
Dean Redman: I watched the original Planet of the Apes films as a child, and have been watching them every few years since. It’s one of my all-time favorite movie series. It’s a timeless story with a powerful lesson and message that can be applied to any culture, place and time on the planet. Past, present, or future.
The Hudsucker: How did you prepare for the role?
Redman: I have an extensive background with military operations, and have portrayed authoritative characters. In addition I worked extensively with an ex-military combat firearms and weapons expert.
The Hudsucker: What challenged you most about playing Stone?
Redman: The most challenging aspect of my preparation for the role was the vocal depth. Director Matt Reeves needed me to have my voice audible enough for the hundreds of soldiers that were under my command to hear me. For this I worked closely with a military cadence commander.
The Hudsucker: What was it like working with Woody Harrelson?
Redman: Well most of my scenes were with Woody [Harrelson], so we spent a lot of time together. He is very calm and focused and has a great sense of humor! He’s a great guy to work with, and I look forward to working with him again.
The Hudsucker: Who do you feel is the “bad guy” in the film?
Redman: Honestly I feel that the “bad guy” in this movie is ignorance and intolerance. I feel that this film has a very valuable message for the entire planet about what is really going on in the world right now, and what could easily happen if we don’t get our act together.
The Hudsucker: You were also in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. What was it like returning to the series?
Redman: Returning to this franchise was a huge privilege. I enjoyed my time working with director Rupert Wyatt on Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Being involved in the creative process of both films has shown me just how far cinematic technology has advanced in such a short time. Believe me, what the audience is going to see in War for the Planet of the Apes is something they’ve not seen before.
The Hudsucker: You’ve also done the voice of Nick Fury in Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk as well as in Iron Man: Armored Adventures. What was that like?
Redman: The Marvel comics family has been very generous to me when it comes to playing Nick Fury. I have lent my voice to Fury for many other Marvel adaptations, he has always been one of my favorite Marvel characters.
The Hudsucker: Did you read the comics to get a sense of the character? Are you a comic book fan?
Redman: Absolutely, as a youth I always spoke his lines when my friends and I would read comic books. I always had to be Fury! I haven’t read too much of the modern series’ as I wanted to keep my take of the character and rely on my instinctual response and delivery. Comics got me through a lot of my childhood growing pains. Reading comics as a kid is probably why I am an actor and voice artist today.
The Hudsucker: What other projects are you working on?
Redman: I’m currently working on a sci-fi alien blockbuster that I can’t name at this time, but it will be in theaters summer of 2018. I am also currently reprising my role as Major Kingston on Disney’s series “MECH-X4”. This summer, I will also be returning as well as celebrity host of the AnimeRevolution animation convention in Vancouver B.C.
The Hudsucker: Who or what most inspires you?
Redman: At the moment I am truly inspired by positive people, people who find the beauty and strength in things, and refuse to let negativity prevail. Simply because this is not easily done.
The Hudsucker: What has been your most challenging role thus far?
Redman: Both roles I was asked to take on in the Warcraft movie were the most challenging. The first role was Lt. Varis of the Royal Army of the Alliance and the second role was Caged Frost Wolf Orc of the Horde. Both were physically demanding roles which I prepared for with intense strength and muscle training. Horseback riding, martial arts sparring, and sword work were also incorporated into my training regiment. On set sometimes I would either have a suit of armor on for 10 to 16 hours a day, or a motion capture suit and reverse camera headgear. It was challenging to say the least. Director Duncan Jones put me to the test.
War for the Planet of the Apes is in theaters now.
The Hudsucker 
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