Motion capture performances are becoming increasingly more popular as a tool for actors and productions to provide detailed performances of animals and other characters that aren't human. However, all of that is really down to Andy Serkis who spearheaded things with his amazing performances in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
However, rather than keeping his performance as a one-off, Serkis has continued as a leader in the world of motion capture with other roles. He has taken on some huge performances throughout his career and he continues to be the very best at utilizing this technology, but which are his greatest motion-capture performances?
Baloo (Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle)
Andy Serkis proudly took on the task of creating another version of the incredible Jungle Book story by not only acting in the film but also directing it. Serkis took his knowledge of the motion capture world into this one and created several characters using the technology, including his own.
Serkis played the incredibly beloved Baloo, and he certainly did a great job. However, this film didn't quite have the financial support that other movies on this list do, and because of that Baloo didn't look quite as realistic and detailed which does take away from the character overall. However, that doesn't mean that his work in this film is poor because he helps keep the character as interesting as possible.
Captain Haddock (Tin Tin)
Perhaps the least well-known of all Andy Serkis' motion-capture performances is that of Captain Haddock in Tin Tin, which is why it doesn't rank too highly. The decision to blend motion capture with animation was an interesting one from Steven Spielberg and it didn't quite connect.
Things didn't look quite as crisp and sleek as they could have, and this film would likely have benefitted from just being an animated movie. However, Serkis still brings a great performance to the role, making Captain Haddock a compelling character within the movie, which is purely down to the fantastic acting that Serkis provides throughout the film.
Supreme Leader Snoke (StarWars The Force Awakens/The Last Jedi)
Supreme Leader Snoke had all the potential to be a really gripping and detailed villain. There was a lot of mystery surrounding this character and the detail in the physical appearance of Snoke was sublime and arguably the best of all Andy Serkis' motion-capture roles.
While it does benefit from also being the most recent, his work here is incredible. The character looks great, but Andy Serkis also brings tons to the performance as well. He makes every mannerism count, with his slow movements and when he talks, the emotion behind it makes it crystal clear what he is thinking, which takes real skill.
King Kong (King Kong)
Taking on the role of King Kong certainly isn't as simple might think it is. While this is probably the least demanding of the roles due to how he doesn't actually talk, Andy Serkis still had a lot to do to make this monster both fearsome and sympathetic.
It's all in the subtle facial expressions that King Kong finds its strength. Peter Jackson happily trusted Serkis to make it work and he certainly did just that. Kong is certainly scary when needed, with Serkis bringing a lot of anger and aggression. But it is in the character's softer moments that he really comes alive, which is why so many people enjoyed this epic film.
Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy/The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey)
Gollum is certainly the most iconic and well-known motion-capture performance and it really is what put Andy Serkis on the map. It's an incredibly important character in The Lord Of The Rings story, and it was crucial Peter Jackson got things right with it. Choosing motion capture over straight animation was absolutely the right call.
Andy Serkis is amazing throughout this and he really threw himself into the performance. With the split personality element, Serkis is practically portraying two characters, and added to the epic voice and the physical demands, this role is one that he will always be remembered for. Gollum was a scene-stealer whenever he appeared, and that was purely down to Andy Serkis, who could make you hate the character yet then feel sympathy for him all in one scene.
Caesar (Planet Of The Apes Trilogy)
While his performances as Gollum were certainly iconic, what Andy Serkis did with Caesar took this technology to a whole new level. Even though Gollum is an important part of Frodo's journey to Middle Earth, he isn't the lead role, yet in Planet Of The Apes, Caesar is the main character of each movie.
The fact Andy Serkis was able to make this character so relatable and compelling as the lead is a testament to how terrific he is as an actor. The character really evolves and changes throughout the trilogy as Caesar gains more skills and intelligence and the performances Serkis brings are truly compelling.