Sometimes good intentions can lead to terrible consequences. One of humanity’s most devastating diseases, Alzheimer’s, still has no cure. However, in the science fiction universe of ‘The Planet of the Apes’, the experiments are about to bear fruit. Or so its protagonist thinks. In the first film after the reboot, scientist Will Roadman (James Franco) develops the ALZ-112 vaccine, which he tests on the chimpanzee Ojos Claros. The experiment is a success, as they discover that his intelligence has improved, opening the door to significant medical advancement. Unfortunately, he believes that his son’s life is in danger and reacts violently, so the pharmaceutical company decides to execute her.
Driven by remorse, Will adopts the baby chimpanzee, little Caesar. Meanwhile, Gen Sys Laboratories suspends funding for the project, although the scientist continues research and inoculates the formula into the body of his father, who suffers from the disease. The results are surprising, but after several years, he develops antibodies and the effects are reversed. Tests with the improved version of the vaccine, ALZ-113, show that the apes become even more intelligent.
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When the cure is a disease: the pandemic that almost ended humanity
All in all, CEO Steven Jacobs’ corporate greed provokes the events that lead to disaster. Without Will’s approval, the manager tests the experimental drug on chimpanzees despite the risk it may entail, since the ALZ-113 cure is actually a lethal virus. Angry, one of the apes removes the mask of Robert Franklin, one of the scientists, who is contaminated. When Will goes to Will’s house to explain that the vaccine can have lethal effects, he accidentally coughs on Douglas Hunsiker, a neighbor who works as a pilot. It is the beginning of the end.
As the apes riot and escape from their prison to freedom, Hunsiker travels to various parts of the world and unknowingly spreads the virus. The result is that the disease crosses the borders of the United States and becomes a global pandemic. Five years later, 50% of humanity has already perished, multiple states establish martial law, and society collapses. In this context, the apes under Caesar’s command evolve over generations and become humans, the intelligent and predominant species. Apes subjugate humans, who have lost their intellectual capacity.
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ is the next installment of the saga. It takes place three centuries after the spread of the pandemic, so humans have been decimated and are a minority. The film premieres on May 10 only in theaters.