‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ Reveals First Set Footage in Fan Contest Video

As promised late last week when Matt Reeves debuted the official logo, War for the Planet of the Apes delivered a special announcement during this week’s episode of The Walking Dead — though you might have been a bit busy rolling your eyes at that whole Glenn thing. In case you missed it, the video has arrived online offering a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming sequel as well as an invitation to fans to audition for a small role in the film.

Reeves appears alongside Andy Serkis in the above video, with the actor decked out in full mo-cap gear to reprise his role as Caesar, the revolutionary leader of the titular apes. Serkis invites fans to submit video of their most convincing ape impression for the chance to appear opposite the actor in what he calls “Caesar’s greatest battle yet.” Not only could you act in a new Apes sequel with Serkis, but you’d be learning mo-cap techniques from the ultimate expert.

It’s a far cry from an actual teaser, but there is some brief set footage in the video featuring several soldiers creeping into the forest and firing their guns, as well as Serkis himself ape-walking down a path. It only gives the tiniest sliver of an action sequence from the sequel, which sees Serkis’ Caesar becoming something of an “ape Moses“ as the war escalates between humans and apes.

Judy Greer is returning to reprise her role as Caesar’s wife Cornelia, along with franchise newcomers Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson and Gabriel Chavarria. War for the Planet of the Apes hits theaters on July 14, 2017.