Planet of the Apes Wiki
Register
Advertisement

The San Francisco Ape Colony is an ape clan that was founded by Caesar and guided by the council of apes. Following the deaths of Caesar and Blue Eyes respectively, Maurice or Rocket likely became the new king of the colony until Cornelius became old enough to officially become the colony's next king.

History[]

Foundation[]

The San Francisco Ape Colony was founded by Caesar in the Muir Woods after the infamous Ape Rebellion where all the apes of San Francisco broke out of captivity after having enough of being oppressed beneath the heel of humanity. The colony established a large village, occupied with various apes into a more organized community, where they lived freely. The colony also created many activities such as hunting, teaching sign language and medicinal training, showing they have come a long way from the pack of wild deranged animals they originally were. Headed by Caesar and his capable lieutenants Rocket, Koba, Maurice and Luca, the ape colony enjoyed a decade of peace and harmony due to a deadly virus known as the Simian Flu that wiped out most of the humans.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes[]

Re-discovery of humans[]

But a decade after the Ape Rebellion, Blue Eyes and Ash (the sons of Caesar and Rocket respectively) discovered a man named Carver while walking through the woods Scared, Carver called his group for help before pulling out a revolver and shooting Ash, which ended up alerting Caesar and the apes who rushed to the scene before another shot could be fired. The apes surrounded the human group as Caesar assessed the situation. The human leader Malcolm told the apes they meant them no harm, and with that he ordered his group to lower their guns down as a sign of good will. Indifferent about them, Caesar, much to the humans' surprise, spoke and told them to leave, his words were joined by his faithful followers; who ordered the same thing; which caused the humans to flee.

As the humans left in their van Caesar had Koba secretly follow them to see where the group came from and if there were more human survivors. Later at night, Koba reported back to Caesar and the other apes. A council meeting was called, with many of the apes wondering what to do about the humans. Some wanted to kill the humans while others were more focused on why the humans came.

Caesar silenced the council, stating they could lose all they've worked hard for the past decade if they go to war. Caesar then adjourned the council, to reflect on the situation and come to a decision by the next day. Koba, a bonobo who suffered abuse and torture at the hands of humans, told Caesar needed to show strength to make the humans understand what apes can do.

Apes' threat[]

The next morning, the ape army led by Caesar and his lieutenants set out for the San Francisco Human Colony where they came face to face with the remaining humans. It was here the humans realized that the apes were more intelligent than they thought, as Caesar talked in English to make sure they knew they were serious about their demands. He told the now scared humans that; while the apes did not want war they would fight if they must to protect their village to; make sure it lives in tranquility. He then had his son return the sketchbook belonging to Malcolm's son Alexander and personally warned Malcolm to never come back to ape territory or else there would be a war. With that, the ape army left the city and returned to their village.

Truce; with humans[]

Later on, at the village, the Gorilla Guard captured Malcolm, who broke Caesar's rule by entering Ape Territory. As the apes wanted permission to kill him, the human pleaded for Caesar to spare him as he had to show him something that wasn't far. Caesar accepted Malcolm's plea and the human took Caesar to the San Francisco Dam where he explained that in order to find other surviving humans, he and his group needed to work at the dam in order to power the city to make contact. The Ape King allowed the humans in Ape Territory on the one condition that they hand over the guns to avoid further mistrust or any conflict.

Stability shaking[]

With humans in their territory, many of the apes began to grow uneasy about their presence due to many of them having faced pain and suffering in captivity especially Koba who decided to secretly spy on their city. However, some of the apes grew curious about the humans and even formed friendships with them but trust was briefly broken when Carver pulled out a hidden gun and threatened the sons of the Ape King, nearly killing the chance for peace. But this incident was overlooked when Malcolm's second wife Ellie gave Caesar's ill wife Cornelia antibiotics; which cured the queen and put the humans back in the apes' good graces.

The Apes then decided to help the humans work on the dam to fasten their progress on the condition that Carver be expelled. But peace was not entirely guaranteed as the bonobo Koba and his group of followers had just discovered the human's armory practicing with guns capable of killing all the apes in the village.

With the new knowledge of the humans being armed and a potential danger to the Ape Colony, Koba set out to warn Caesar about the threat the humans now pose. Arriving in the village, Koba asked Blue Eyes where his father was only to be told he and some of the apes were with the humans at the dam. Making it to the dam, Koba angrily made a scene and attacked some of the humans while demanding for Caesar to come out. The bonobo demanded to know why Caesar let the humans stay in Ape Territory when they just threatened to kill his sons and states he has put the apes in danger by letting the humans stay.

Koba then declared to the apes present Caesar loved humans more than his people and including his own sons which led to him suffering a beating at the hands of an infuriated Caesar. The Ape King mercilessly pounded Koba to a bloody pulp, stopping himself short from killing him due to remembering the "Ape Not Kill Ape" law. Koba begged Caesar for forgiveness and left the dam with his followers. This though would bring forth a cataclysm of dire consequences which would forever affect both humans and apes alike.

Koba's usurpation[]

Later on, the apes and humans continued fixing the dam and after completing it, they celebrated their success. After Koba recovered from his beating by Caesar and broke into the human armory where he killed two human guards and stole an AK-47, he headed back to the village in the dead of night. As the humans and apes celebrated over their success, Koba found and secretly killed Carver before taking his hat and lighter as his prizes. Back at the Ape Village, the apes are given a surprise when their queen suddenly emerges from her home; with her infant son, having been healed by the ape's new friends.

The colony then watched as Cornelia is embraced by her husband and oldest son, but as this is happening Koba secretly appears and orders one of his followers to burn the village down. The bonobo then takes his new gun and heads to a branch unseen by all except Caesar whom he locks eyes with before unceremoniously raising his weapon and shooting Caesar in the shoulder, causing the Ape King to fall from his position and into the darkness below, supposedly to his death. Koba then leaves behind Carver's possessions and the gun; which is found; by Blue Eyes; who brings out the evidence.

As the apes begin to frenzy over the loss of their king, their homes suddenly erupt in flames causing even more chaos amongst them. Their fear was subsided when Koba appeared and takes advantage of the events, declaring the humans were responsible for their leader's death and the destruction of their homes. He says the apes must take the fight to them while they still have the chance. With that, the ape colony had a new King and completely turned against the humans.

A colony of madness[]

Enraged at the sudden attack on their leader and having been provoked by Koba, the ape colony were now energized and eager for revenge. Ordering the females and the young to stay in the woods, Koba led the army to the human colony in San Francisco where they raided the human armory and charged toward the city just as the humans were celebrating the restoration of power. Their festivity was brought to an end; when the apes, heavily armed and guns blazing, attacked the human fortress, beginning their attack on the off-guard humans; who attempted to put a defense; but to no avail.

The apes suffered a heavy loss of colony members but nonetheless broke through the wall entering the city where they went up against the advance weaponry of the humans. But the apes had more numbers and were eventually able to turn the tides on the humans despite losing more apes in the process.

The humans were stricken with fear as the apes suddenly entered the tower and began brutalizing them, chasing them through the streets, or shooting them down mercilessly. As this happened, the human colony's leader Dreyfus escaped underground with his workers. The apes seized control of the tower and imprisoned many of the humans in former Simian Flu containment cells. The next day, Koba led the army to the city hall and made his authority official by killing Ash after he refused to kill unarmed humans. Koba then had any apes that remained loyal to Caesar imprisoned on a bus next to the imprisoned humans.

Rebellion[]

As the colony shifted from a peaceful race to an empire of rampaging animals, it turned out that their former leader Caesar was still alive, having been found by Malcolm and his family, who hid in the woods when Koba attacked the city. They took the critically wounded ape back to his former home to recuperate but needed to get medical supplies which were at Malcolm's apartment. Malcolm volunteered to retrieve the supplies just as Koba ordered the apes to search the city for any remaining humans. Malcolm snuck into his apartment while avoiding the nearby apes who were terrorizing other humans as Malcolm gathered the items he needed he attempted to leave but was confronted by Blue Eyes. The young ape raised a gun at the human who quickly surrendered but remembering his friend's death at Koba's hand, Blue Eyes put the weapon down and turned to leave.

But Malcolm stopped him by asking him if he wanted to see his father which both surprised and intrigued Blue Eyes who followed Malcolm back to the Rodman House where he was reunited with Caesar. After a brief reunion and explanation for the proceeding events, Caesar was given medicine by the kind humans and was back on his feet later on. Caesar was then told by his son that Koba was planning on moving the females and young into the city which made Caesar realize that his wife and infant son are now in serious danger and told him to face Koba while he has the chance.

Blue Eyes, offered to help his father though rejected the first time, despite this, he gained his approval. Going back into the city, Blue Eyes liberated the apes and humans held captive by Koba. With a sizable force, he returned to the Rodman Residence with the apes that remained loyal to Caesar but now needed a way to get in city without being seen that's when Malcolm volunteered to help. With the aid of Malcolm, the apes snuck back into the city through an underground tunnel, Caesar and his followers ascended the human colony tower where Caesar came face to face with his former friend turned enemy.

Duel for Power[]

Koba, surprised by Caesar's survival, confronted him stating he no longer had a place among the apes as they now follow him as Caesar stated they follow him to madness and war. Koba strongly proclaimed the apes will win the war as they are strong while calling Caesar weak, but the latter was unhurt and defiant and labeled Koba as being weaker. Infuriated by his former friend's words, Koba lunged at Caesar beginning the battle to decide who gets to be the Ape King while the other apes were unable to join due to their longing to see who will rule over them. As the battle raged on, the two combatants traded harsh insults while blaming each other for what led them to this point. While this was happening, Malcolm reunited with Dreyfus and two others and was informed that they have a plan to fight against the apes.

But Malcolm soon turned on them and tried to explain what occurred. His words fell upon deaf ears, as Dreyfus informs Malcolm that his men have already made contact with soldiers up north to fight off the apes. Dreyfus then pulled out the trigger connected to the C4 placed on the tower before pressing the button he states "i'm saving the human race"; before igniting the bombs which simultaneously killed Dreyfus and his men while Malcolm ran to safety. The explosion reached the tower, causing the apes to be caught in the blast.

After the explosion, many apes were severely wounded or killed, causing Caesar to stop his battle with Koba and have his followers tend to the injured. This show of benevolence was met with disdain by Koba who during the chaos grabs a gun and opens fire on Caesar and the other apes wounding or killing more apes in the process until he hits Maurice. Witnessing his best friend suffer in pain, Caesar, fueled by rage, jumps and tackles Koba, causing the two fall. While Caesar lands to safety, Koba is left dangling over a ledge clinging for dear life.

Caesar approaches Koba who begs for his former friend to save him using the "Ape Not Kill Ape" law. Caesar grabs Koba's hand, relieving the bonobo. However, Caesar looks upon the traumatized apes. along with reminiscing over the death and destruction caused by Koba. Angered and disgusted, Caesar tells Koba with a firm declaration "You are not Ape" before dropping the surprised Koba to his death, ending his reign and madness.

War on the horizon[]

With the battle over and with Caesar back in power, the apes were reunited with their families and rested after the madness was over. A group of apes then appear holding someone at gunpoint who is revealed to be Malcolm, Caesar orders them to leave him alone allowing Malcolm to speak with the ape king. Malcolm informs Caesar that after Koba's attack on the city, Dreyfus and his men were able to make contact with soldiers up north to fight the apes, he advises Caesar to leave the city while he still has the chance or else there would be an all out war.

But Caesar refuses to leave his home and despairingly states that war has already begun because his ape colony started it and that the humans would not forgive the apes for horrible things they did under Koba's uprising. He tells Malcolm to take his family and leave before the fighting begins. The two friends lament that peace could have been achieved if not for the hatred and prejudice existing on both sides of their races before tearfully bidding each other luck and farewell. Malcolm then slips into the shadows as the remaining apes bow down to Caesar awaiting his guidance for the fighting to come.

War of the Planet of the Apes[]

War progresses[]

Two years after Koba's uprising, Caesar and his colony have engaged in a full out war; with a rogue paramilitary faction known as Alpha-Omega. The apes have adapted their weaponry into that of firearms such as guns and grenades to have a better fighting chance against the soldiers. Due to the destruction of apes' former home; they abandoned it and made salvation in a hidden caver;n with a tunnel system in Ape Waterfall. In spite of Koba's demise, his legacy lived on as many apes still loyal to him sided with the Alpha-Omega and were called Donkeys.

McCullough's plan[]

But Caesar sought to live in peace and after his colony defeated an Alpha-Omega platoon; albeit; with casualties. He spared the surviving soldiers and showed them mercy as he did not truly hate them and wanted to prove that the apes were not savages. After sending the soldiers away, he continued to hope for peace.

Very soon, Caesar witnessed the return of Blue Eyes and Rocket who tell him that they have located something of importance. At night, a meeting is held and the apes learned Rocket and Blue Eyes have found a suitable place for the apes to evacuate. Many apes prepared for the evacuation and saw the chance to live in peace without having to deal with the war against humanity.

Loss of a prince and queen[]

But J. Wesley McCullough, the commander of the Alpha-Omega, discovered the location of the apes' hideout from a gorilla called Winter, who joined Alpha-Omega after making a deal with Red. McCullough infiltrated the hideout with a few soldiers and succeeded in killing Cornelia and Blue-Eyes, thinking the latter was Caesar.

Fortunately, Caesar was away at the time; since he and a few followers had discovered the soldiers sneaking around and easily killed the intruders. Caesar found a communicator and overheard McCullough broadcast a message to his fellow soldiers that he (supposedly) killed Caesar. Hearing this, Caesar realized what happened to his family and rushed back to them. The Ape King returned to the waterfall opening, only to see McCullough preparing to leave.

McCullough was confused to see Caesar and turned to the bodies of Blue Eyes and Cornelia, which Caesar directed his gaze and became horrified and enraged at the death of his wife and eldest son. Realizing his mistake, McCullough opened fire at Caesar, but disengaged after spotting more apes emerging from the tunnels and jumped out through the waterfall. Caesar pursued, grabbing onto the cable and climbed, but McCullough cut the cable after Caesar knocked the M4A1 Assault Rifle out of his hand, sending the ape falling down into the water, while he escaped.

On the run[]

Caesar survived the drop and was found by his followers. Caesar also discovered the colony was betrayed by Winter to save himself. Caesar was devastated by his loss but found his youngest son, Cornelius had survived the attack as he had been hidden by his family before the danger. Realizing the apes' location was compromised, Caesar told his followers to head for the location Blue Eyes spoke of while he got revenge on the Colonel.

Caesar's hunt for revenge[]

During his search for the Colonel, Caesar and the apes encountered an evolved former zoo chimpanzee named Bad Ape; who was one of the many apes that; lived elsewhere to have gained increased intelligence over the years.

Captured; by the Alpha-Omega[]

While captive, Caesar was distraught to learn his people were captured by Alpha-Omega during their travel. The apes were being forced to build a wall; by McCullough to protect his army from the incoming Northern Army; who were coming to wipe out the Alpha-Omega; because McCullough went rogue and killed his superiors.

Caesar defended his people from being abused; by the soldiers of the Alpha-Omega; by standing up to them as they saw Caesar still had influence on them. In the days that; followed, McCullough was subjected to torture; but seeing their leader staying strong, kept their spirits high.

Freedom at last[]

Fortunately, Rocket, Bad Ape, Nova, and Maurice discovered the camp and hatched a plan to free the captives apes. The plan had Rocket intentionally get himself captured to speak with Caesar and get the provisions needed to perfect the plan. The apes secretly formed a tunnel beneath the camp and escaped notice from Alpha-Omega, who were distracted with fighting the invading Northern Army. While some apes died in the crossfire, most of them made it to safety.

After the human armies were subsequently devastated by a massive avalanche, Caesar and the other apes survived by climbing nearby trees. With the war finally over, the apes departed and crossed the desert to find the oasis. While the other apes joyously celebrated their new home, Maurice discovered Caesar's wound and the latter revealed that; he will soon die. Maurice then spoke, telling Caesar that; his son, and the colony would know who their savior was, what he stood for, and what he did to protect the apes. Caesar then silently succumbed to his wound and died peacefully while Maurice mourned his passing as the other apes looked on.

Caesar's known laws[]

APE NOT KILL APE
APES TOGETHER STRONG
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Writings on the wall in Maurice's teaching circle

After the village was built, Caesar with the help of his newly formed council established laws that the apes must abide by. These laws include:

  • Knowledge is Power: This likely comes from Maurice's comment "Ape's stupid" before Caesar infected the apes with the ALZ-113 to make the other apes more intelligent. From what has been seen, it can be assumed this comment means that the apes have come along way from the deranged wild animals humanity once knew and became more evolved in the past decade for a new generation of apes.
  • Apes Together Strong: A belief that Caesar came up with during his imprisonment in the San Bruno Primate Shelter, Caesar believed that apes who go up against powerful opponents alone are weak, but apes who go up against powerful opponents together as a team, are strong. But this belief did not turn; into arrogance, as Caesar knew that; apes are not unstoppable.
  • Apes Not Kill Ape: The most serious of all the laws in the colony as Caesar wanted all the apes in his kingdom to be united as a family; even if they fight from time-to-time. It is unknown what the exact punishment is for breaking this law is, for apes; who break this law; it can be assumed that; the punishment is exile, disownment as an ape or death. So far the only known apes to have broken this law are Koba, Caesar and Red. Koba was the first ape to break this law as he nearly assassinated Caesar, threw the young ape, Ash to his death for disloyalty and shot down other apes in his final attempt to kill Caesar. In return, he was dropped to his death; by Caesar; who killed Koba in self-defense while firmly declaring that; Koba was no longer an ape; due to the bonobo's actions leading to pain and destruction in his usurpation. Red broke this law; when killing Grey for refusing to side; with him; resulting in his exile and aligning; with Alpha-Omega. Caesar broke the law again; when he had unknowingly killed the treacherous gorilla, Winter; who had gave up the colony's location; which; resulted in the death of his wife and eldest son.

Known inhabitants[]

Ape Status Position/Title

Image

Caesar Deceased King of the Ape Colony

Patriarch of the Royal Ape Family Chimpanzee

WPOTA Caesar's last look at his tribe before passing
Cornelia Deceased Queen of the Ape Colony

Matriarch of the Royal Ape Family Chimpanzee

Cornelia
Blue Eyes Deceased Caesar's first son/Prince of the Ape Colony

Chimpanzee

WPOTA Blue Eyes

Cornelius

Alive Caesar's second son/Second prince of the Ape Colony

Chimpanzee

WPOTA Cornelius
Rocket Alive Caesar's Second-in-Command/Ash's father

Chimpanzee

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Maurice Alive Caesar's advisor/Ape Colony Teacher/Caesar's Third-in-Command

Orangutan

WPOTA Maurice (with scar from Dawn)
Koba Deceased Caesar's former Advisor/Caesar's usurper

Bonobo

Koba in Ape Village
Andy Unknown Follower of Caesar

Chimpanzee

Andy
Jeanpierre Unknown Follower of Caesar

Chimpanzee

Jeanpierre
Lucky Unknown Follower of Caesar

Chimpanzee

Risesketch2
Ash Deceased Rocket's son/Member of the Ape Army

Chimpanzee

Ash
Stone Alive Former follower of Koba; now follower of Caesar

Chimpanzee

Grey
Grey Deceased Former follower of Koba; now follower of Caesar

Chimpanzee

Stone
Luca Deceased Gorilla Guardian/Caesar's Fourth-in-Command

Gorilla

WPOTA Luca
Winter Deceased Gorilla Guardian (formerly)/Deserter

Gorilla

Winter
Red Deceased Ape Colony Guardian (formerly)/Former follower of Koba/Donkey

Gorilla

WPOTA Red CU
Spear Deceased Follower of Caesar

Chimpanzee

WPOTA Spear
Lake Alive Caretaker of young apes/Cornelius watcher

Chimpanzee

WPOTA Lake
Bad Ape Alive Sierra Safari Zoo Ape/Hermit Survivor

Chimpanzee

WPOTA Bad Ape 5
Nova Alive Maurice's adoptive daughter

Human

WPOTA Nova signs 2

Trivia[]

  • It is possible that; the Ape Colony from San Francisco is not the only Ape Colony in existence.
  • Nova is the first human to live in the colony, as the apes treated her; with compassion; while the Alpha-Omega would kill her on sight as she's a carrier of the evolved ALZ-113 virus.
  • Bad Ape is a wanderer; who joined the colony after being found; by Caesar's group.
  • Following the deaths of Caesar and Blue Eyes respectively, Maurice or Rocket have likely became the new king of the ape colony; until Cornelius is old enough to officially become the next king of the ape colony.

Notes[]

  • In a promotional video from 20th Century Fox, Mark Bomback confirmed that "Caesar has become something like a king within this community, or at least a leader, and he's really informed the way all the apes treat each other, and they look to him not only for leadership but also for moral guidance". But in the same video, Andy Serkis portrayed the ape colony less as a royal dictatorship than as a democratic republic; "Caesar sets about creating this utopia for all apes, an equality, an egalitarian society".

Also see[]

Gallery[]

Planet of the Apes - Chernin Entertainment Series
Planet of the Apes (CE) Movies
Rise of the Planet of the Apes | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | War for the Planet of the Apes | Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Main Evolved Ape Characters
Caesar | Bright Eyes | Koba | Maurice | Rocket | Buck | Cornelia | Blue Eyes | Luca | Ash | Cornelius | Winter | Lake | Bad Ape | Red | Noa | Soona | Anaya | Raka | Koro | Proximus Caesar | Coastal Ape Colony Gorilla
Supporting Ape Characters
Alpha | Burke | Verdon | Tinker | Grey | Stone | Andy | Wolfie | Jeanpierre | Lucky | Koba's Mother | Sparrow | Pope | Fifer | Cora | Rex | Bon | Dallas | Milo | Herman | Spear | Ajax | Oak | Fox | Aghoo | Ursus | Percy | Beardface | Armando
Main Human Characters
Will Rodman | Charles Rodman | Caroline Aranha | Robert Franklin | Steven Jacobs | Dodge Landon | John Landon | Douglas Hunsiker | Malcolm | Ellie | Alexander | Dreyfus | Carver | Foster | Colonel McCullough | Nova | Mae
Supporting Human Characters
Rodney | John Hamil | Rita | Sarah | Maddy | John | Edward | Roger Mason | Werner | Kemp | Clancy Stoppard | Corbin | Daniel Nygun | David Flynn | Finney | Kuo | Malakai Youmans | Max (Firestorm) | McVeigh | Terry | Roger | Rod Wilson | Preacher | Boyle | Lang | Travis
Families
Rodman Family | Caesar's Family | Malcolm's Family | Rocket's Family | Dreyfus' Family
Animals
Horse | Elk | Grizzly Bear | Eagle
Items / Weapons
Simian Flu
Important Events / Battles
Ape Rebellion | Human-Ape War | Simian Flu Pandemic | Battle on the Golden Gate Bridge | Battle in San Francisco | Battle of Muir Woods Park | Attack on Ape Waterfall | Battle of the Border
Organizations / Colonies / Companies
San Francisco Ape Colony | Caesar's Council of Apes | Caesar's Ape Army | Gen-Sys Board | San Francisco's Human Colony | Dreyfus' Human Army | Malcolm's Group | Alpha-Omega | Donkeys | Florida Ape Colony | Rocky Mountains Ape Colony | Eagle Clan | Coastal Ape Colony
Locations
West African Jungle | San Francisco | San Francisco Zoo | Gen-Sys Laboratories | Rodman House | San Bruno Primate Shelter | Golden Gate Bridge | Muir Woods Park | Ape Mountain | Ape Gate | Ape Village | Caesar's Home | Warehouse | Ape Waterfall | The Border | Oasis
Comics
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (webcomic) | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Contagion | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (BOOM! Studios) | Before the Dawn | War for the Planet of the Apes (BOOM! Studios) | Planet of the Apes: The Time of Man | Planet of the Apes: The Simian Age | Planet of the Apes: Devolution
Novels
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Firestorm | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - Official Movie Novelization | War for the Planet of the Apes: Revelations | War for the Planet of the Apes - Official Movie Novelization | Caesar’s Story
Other Books
Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: The Art of the Films
Soundtracks
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Soundtrack Album) | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Soundtrack Album) | War for the Planet of the Apes (Soundtrack Album)
Video Games
Plague Inc: Simian Flu | Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier | Crisis on the Planet of the Apes VR
Advertisement