Ten years after the deadly Simian Flu pandemic, the humans are nearly extinct, with only about 1 in 500 (0.2%) genetically immune. Human civilization has been destroyed after societal collapse among humans. The apes, all bestowed with genetically enhanced intelligence by the virus, establish a colony in the Muir Woods National Monument near San Francisco, led by Caesar, along with his lieutenants Maurice, Rocket, and Koba.