Andy Serkis is Our First Avatar-Based Movie Star -- But There Will Likely Be Others Soon

The biggest movie in America, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, stars Andy Serkis, an actor whose name few people recognize, and whose real face few could identify. However, Serkis has become the master of translating emotionally-rich expression from his body into 3D digital representations of creatures which don't exist. He did that as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies, as King Kong in the movie of the same name, and now most prominently, in ROTPOTA. Here's a look at how the motion capture process works:

There was some talk that Serkis should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his work as Gollum (and he should have), but recognition for his talent has increased since then. Which brings us to a pretty interesting point in the evolution of popular culture:

The sci-fi blog iO9 has a long good interview with Serkis, but so, too, does NPR's general interest show "Fresh Air."  And the New York Times review of Apes talks more about Serkis' performance than the acting of the movie's putative, onscreen star. (Some guy named James Franco or something?) In the video above, the producer goes so far to say the movie could not have been made without Serkis (which wouldn't be true of Franco.)

Despite all this, however, Serkis is only a movie star through the 3D avatars he brings to life. (Unlike, say, Johnny Depp, who's only virtual in some movies.) However, I suspect Serkis isn't an exception, but the vanguard. As movies get more costly (in great part due to A list actor fees), other avatar-based movie stars will gain more recognition, by the public and the movie industry. Some, like Serkis, will become famous for their acting abilities -- I wonder who'll be the first avatar-based actress to become a star? -- while others, their athletic and martial arts abilities, and still others, their physical characteristics which translate to virtual characters better. (Extremely tall or extremely short actors for example.) I can even imagine see several mimes becoming stars this way. (Which would mean more mimes onscreen and less on the streets of Paris, a future we can probably all get behind.)

Comments

[Gary J. Bivin]

A mime is a terrible thing to waste...

[James Corbett]

I think you could argue that Zoe Saldana is the first avatar-based actress to become a star. I didn't know of her before Avatar and unlike Sam Worthington she only appeared in avatar form throughout.

[Metacam Oh]

Ah yes James, she was popular before Avatar, she was the lovely Uhara in the Star Trek reboot

[Justin Bovington]

A man with a mask, is a man in a mask. Lon Cheney was the original 'avatar' actor.

[Saffia Widdershins]

Andy Serkis is an awesome actor in his own right - although as his work is more on TV than in film, he's probably better known this side of the pond.

[Ananda]

I'd buy this, especially since Andy Serkis *is* a well known name that attracts attention to a movie, despite his face not being visible (for most of the time) in it. Also because his name is a big positive on the billing. Almost no one remembers Ahmed Best, although his avatarian performance was notorious and instantly recognizable.

[Melponeme_k]

The cost of movies are not due to A List, B List or below list actors. It is due entirely to the fact that the movie biz people hide costs, kickbacks and windfalls in various shady backdoors in the film budget.

As far as Serkis' work is concerned, it is all him on the screen. He is the star. But many in the VR world would like to push forth the idea that the mask shown on the screen is the star ala that Final Fantasy failure film a few years back.

Serkis' work is no departure from regular film acting. He and others like him will be able to charge for their talent. They will be known factors just like Brad Pitt etc. Its already happened with Serkis.

[Naxos Loon]

well its nice to be a monkey.
believe me i know what im talking about.