The Simian Flu Website That Wouldn’t Work Today

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More than a decade since its premiere, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is generally agreed to be the finest film in the renewed Planet of the Apes saga. Following the unexpected triumph of 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, the movie expanded the narrative in intriguing directions, setting the scene after a Simian Flu had devastated humanity and left survivors struggling to survive. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” delves into the consequences of the virus’s spread, offering viewers a glimpse into a world where apes were on the brink of supplanting humans as the dominant species. Casar endeavors to establish peace with humans while simultaneously addressing Koba’s mounting discontent over the circumstances.

Marketing materials for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” effectively set the movie’s mood and post-apocalyptic backdrop from the get-go. However, 20th Century Fox began preparing viewers for what was to come much earlier than when a trailer was unveiled. The studio skillfully dabbled in viral marketing, a strategy that was both innovative and intricate at the time, but it might not work as well if the film were being released today.

Dawn of the Planet of the Ape’s Simian Flu Website

In the world of Planet of the Apes, the Simian Flu plays a significant role, which is why Fox utilized it when promoting Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Prior to releasing the film’s first teaser in July 2013, they created a Simian Flu website to generate interest. This site was designed to resemble authentic health organization websites, showcasing an impressive level of detail and effort. The Anti-Ape Association managed this site, offering extensive information about the Simian Flu, presented as official facts from the Office of Public Health Awareness (OPHA).

The site, currently accessible solely via the Wayback Machine, showcases an extensive chronology of the Simian Flu pandemic within the Planet of the Apes universe. This timeline traces significant incidents from the initial case in 2011 (depicted in Rise of the Planet of the Apes) to reports of millions of deaths in Russia by 2020, a period marked by global chaos. The website additionally offers a list of symptoms to be mindful of and precautions for avoiding Simian Flu infection. Moreover, it features a continuously updating social media feed with fictional posts discussing the outbreak.

During the promotional period for “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the viral website proved an efficient means to bridge narrative gaps between sequels. The movie opened with a news segment depicting the Simian Flu pandemic, yet the website provided more extensive details than the film itself could manage. It was indeed a valuable asset, but in today’s context, 20th Century Fox would have had to adopt an entirely new approach.

Why the Simian Flu Website Wouldn’t Work Today

In today’s pandemic-conscious world, a fake website about the Simian Flu wouldn’t likely succeed due to its striking similarities with the COVID-19 crisis. Glancing at the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes site, it might easily be mistaken for a 2020 coronavirus resource site if one wasn’t aware of the context. The “How it Spreads” section, in particular, seems to have been lifted straight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, warning that the Simian Flu can be transmitted either through the air or by touching infected individuals or objects.

The “How to Stay Safe” section stirs up painful recollections of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the advice provided mirrors the methods suggested for self-protection during that time (such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance). If a movie studio were to attempt such a marketing strategy today, five years after the pandemic, they would face immediate backlash for insensitivity. A website like this could potentially spark widespread fear, as it might alarm people who are unaware it’s advertising a film rather than offering health advice during an actual crisis.

In the future of the Planet of the Apes series, while the Simian Flu remains a significant event in the storyline and may still be mentioned in dialogue, it no longer needs to dominate marketing efforts. The narrative has moved forward significantly since the Simian Flu, with the humans now facing challenges in their efforts to regain their position in a rapidly changing world, as depicted in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”. When promoting the next installment, the focus can shift towards the conflict between humans and apes.

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2025-04-06 18:10