It seems it’s getting harder to enjoy a good sci-fi movie without racist undertones. The latest issue has arisen from the upcoming installment of the Planet of the Apes series. In War For the Planet of the Apes, actor Woody Harrelson plays the character of the Colonel whose appearance and demeanor reminded many of a neo-Nazi skinhead. The movie is about a war between species, however, in today’s heated racial climate a simple fantasy film, for many, seems to be racially coded messages. This is apparent to some in publicity photos that feature one of the apes dressed in a blue vest similar to one worn by Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson at rallies.
The ape wearing the vest is in front of a large crowd of apes and is the only ape in human clothing. The imagery was not lost on many Twitter users including Mckesson, who posted the following to Twitter:
After a backlash by some, Mckesson deleted the post from Twitter but that did not stop other Twitter users from sounding off:
Was the new planet of the apes filmed in Chicago or Ferguson? #BlackLivesMatter
— He’s your president (@LeonardTrump_) July 12, 2017
#BlackLivesMatter supporters are the only ones who look racist when they claim Planet Of The Apes is depicting black people.
— NohBdy (@DelusionalPunk) July 12, 2017
The movie called “Planet of the Apes,” of course it’s about #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/0dLReLyGWn
— RWDServo (@FashyTom) July 11, 2017
I am yelling #blacklivesmatter as soon as I see @deray in Planet Of the Apes
— Uncle Hotep (@handymayhem) July 11, 2017
#BlackLivesMatter is the 2016 Version of The Planet of The Apes! Guns included! #2A Vote #Trump Send em all back into the forest!
— yanky (@longislandyanky) July 20, 2016
Does the new Planet of the Apes poster have racially coded messages?Notice the #BlackLivesMatter symbolism.Notice the ape with the blue vest pic.twitter.com/8dnr42OxjK
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) July 10, 2017
