War for the Planet of the Apes Ending Explained: A Moving Conclusion to Caesar’s Story

The final film in the Caesar trilogy, War for the Planet of the Apes, marks the end of the iconic ape leader’s journey, even though it doesn’t signify the end for the franchise. Caesar (Andy Serkis) succumbs to his injuries after leading his people to a new promised land.

This powerful conclusion illustrates not just the emotional growth of the character but also the stakes involved, showing that Caesar’s journey truly mattered. As the leader who united and guided the apes, War showcases his role not only as the first intelligent ape.

But also as the one who paved the way for the dawn of a new civilization. Now, with the recent release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, it’s time to revisit the events leading up to this momentous finale.

Why Can’t Humans Speak in ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’?

A key point of confusion for some viewers is the film’s ending, which hints at a possible connection to the original Planet of the Apes movie. One significant clue is the character Nova (Amiah Miller), whose name references Linda Harrison’s character from the 1968 film.

Nova, much like the humans in the original, cannot speak. This echoes the importance of Astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston), whose ability to talk makes him stand out among the ruling apes.

While the original film never clarified why humans lost their speech, War explains it as a mutation of the Simian Flu — the virus that wiped out a large portion of humanity after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

So, with Nova and humans likely to be affected by this new strain, does War tie into Planet? Not exactly. For starters, we need to remember that Rise is a reboot. In the original Planet of the Apes timeline, apes rise under Caesar’s leadership in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.

Caesar, the child of Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Zira (Kim Hunter), is sent back in time after the planet’s destruction in Beneath the Planet of the Apes.

However, Rise presents a completely different timeline, with Caesar being the offspring of Bright Eyes, a chimpanzee subjected to an experimental Alzheimer’s drug. This drug enhances Bright Eyes’ intelligence, which is passed down to Caesar, giving him the ability to lead.

When Does ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ Take Place?

In the original Planet of the Apes, the story unfolds in the year 3978. Given that Rise is set in 2011, it offers a brief link to why humans lost their ability to speak in the original movie. However, the connection stops there, since the events in the rebooted series are too far apart from the original films.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set in 2021, and War for the Planet of the Apes happens in 2023. This significant time gap makes it unlikely that the new franchise will tie back to the 1968 film. This is a positive development, as it allows for new and independent stories to be told without being constrained by the original movie.

While War does show humanity losing its ability to speak, it also offers a hopeful message with Nova being accepted into Caesar’s tribe, signaling a potential for peaceful coexistence.

War’s Place in the Timeline: A Defining Shift

War for the Planet of the Apes stands out because it marks the turning point where humanity is no longer the dominant species. As humans regress, the apes rise to the top of the evolutionary chain.

Dawn explores the days leading up to this moment, focusing on the aftermath of the pandemic and the conflict between the apes, who are divided on how to treat the humans, especially with the memories of past human cruelty still fresh.

While Caesar seeks peace, Koba (Toby Kebbell) wants revenge, and his violent actions push Caesar to make hard decisions, eventually setting the stage for War.

How Does Caesar Die in ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’?

In War for the Planet of the Apes, Caesar finally leads his people to safety, but after suffering a gunshot wound earlier in the film, he dies just as he watches over his new home. Maurice (Karin Konoval), his trusted ally, assures Caesar that his son, Cornelius (Devyn Dalton), will understand the sacrifices his father made for the apes.

The film transitions to the next chapter in the franchise with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which opens with Caesar’s body on a funeral pyre, his life honored by his tribe. The film then jumps 300 years into the future, where humans have become more savage and apes have formed their societies and villages.

‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ Sets the Stage Going Forward

Maurice’s final promise in War is eventually forgotten, and by the time of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the message of Caesar’s leadership and hope for peace has been lost to most. In the latest installment, humans and apes are more divided than ever.

It isn’t until Noa (Owen Teague) encounters Raka (Peter Macon) that the story of Caesar’s teachings is revived. The hope of peaceful coexistence that was central to the War continues to influence the story.

As shown in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, humanity is starting to rise again, which will force the franchise to confront the question of whether apes and humans can ever truly coexist. This possibility makes the future of the franchise even more compelling, ensuring that the journey promised in War will continue to captivate audiences.