Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes Launches New Viral Marketing Campaign
“Protect Yourself. Protect Humanity.” Although the sequel film will not be released in theaters for another year in July 2014, Twentieth Century Fox just started the viral marketing campaign for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes with a chilling look at the future depicted in the film franchise. At the end of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, there is a hint that the super serum that created the self-aware apes was the same deadly disease that killed off a majority of humanity. It seemed as if Dr. Will Rodman’s (James Franco) commercial airliner pilot neighbor unwittingly spread the disease while making his rounds. The viral video above showcases the aftermath and health risks of Simian Flu.
The public service announcement is a bit chilling with the idea that it’s really easy to get Simian Flu. This deadly disease infected over 8.7 million people since 2011 (coincidentally, when Rise of the Planet of the Apes was released in theaters), while 1 in 10 who get Simian Flu survive. This is a global epidemic that threatens all of humanity. While it’s unclear how you’re suppose to protect yourself from Simian Flu, the video points you to a website, SimianFlu.com.
The website set up for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes looks amazing! It actually looks and feels like a real medical website with vital information about your health and this terrible disease. You could almost be fooled into thinking that Simian Flu is a real disease.
It seems as if Simian Flu is a communicable disease as it is spread through physical contact with people like shaking hands or touching doorknobs. The first case of Simian Flu was found in San Francisco, where Rise of the Planet of the Apes was set. Apparently, symptoms of Simian Flu occur 48 hours after infection, while death can occur seven days after you’re infected. It appears the only way to prevent Simian Flu is to wear a medical mask and avoid contact with others.
From everything we’ve heard about Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, it looks like the sequel film will take place in the year 2019, as director Matt Reeves described the film taking place eight years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, so that places the first film in 2011 as the viral video suggests. The Simian Flu website also suggests that humanity could be completely wiped out in the year 2022, if there is no cure for the deadly disease. Interestingly, it could happen earlier than that since a war will break out between humanity and apes.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will feature two parallel storylines; one featuring a group of scientists trying to survive the Simian Flu disease, while the other showcases Caesar’s rise to power and dominance over the other self-aware Simians. The sequel film will also feature actors Andy Serkis as Caesar, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Nick Thurston, Toby Kebbell, Karin Konoval, and Judy Greer as Cornelia, with Terry Notary as Rocket.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will hit theaters everywhere on July 18, 2014, in 3D.
