This is a huge movie. What was it like to begin this process and how did your relationships to each other develop?
Linklater: It was just like setting sail for uncharted territory. There was a plan there. We were going to see this kid grow up from first to twelfth grade.
Can you talk about the evolution of Caesar’s character from Rise of the Planet of the Apes to this film?
The approach to the role for me has always been to think of Caesar as having a human mind within an ape’s body.
What motivated you to expand the short?
It first started before the short was even finished, in the editing room.
What do you think the future holds for colleges in the United States?
I think that the idea that Universities are treating students more like consumers or paying customers is related to the exponential increase in cost.
This movie is based on a beloved book by John Green. Has he seen the film and how does he feel about it?
Godfrey: He saw it very early on and was involved in the production, and loved it, thank god. But I think he knew all along from the screenplay to the casting that we were putting together a team that loved the book as deeply as its fans and that we were going to pay honor to it in whatever way we could.