Production is currently underway in Canada on the sequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and director Matt Reeves (Let Me In) has now shared the first official image from the set.  While we’ve previously seen Andy Serkis in his performance-capture gear for his work as lead ape Caesar, this image reveals that in the sequel (which takes place 15 years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Caesar and his brethren have mastered the art of horseback riding.  It’s a nice nod to the original series of films, and I really can’t wait to see what the very talented Reeves brings to the new franchise.

Hit the jump to take a look at the image.  The film also stars Jason ClarkeKeri Russell, Gary Oldman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Toby Kebbell, Enrique Murciano, and Judy GreerDawn of the Planet of the Apes opens on May 23, 2014.

Via Matt Reeves’ Twitter.  Click to enlarge.

andy-serkis-motion-capture

Here’s the official synopsis for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes:

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.  They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth¹s dominant species.