Dr. Zaius (film character)

Doctor Zaius was an orangutan politician and scientist of the 40th century, and a member of the Ape National Assembly. He served in the roles of Minister of Science and Chief Defender of the Faith. 
==Weapons and Abilities==
===Assets===
*Authority: As Minister of Science and Chief Defender of the Faith, Zaius wielded considerable clout in the Ape government and amongst the populace. (FILM: Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes)
*Faith: Zaius' belief in the Lawgiver was strong enough to resist Mendez's psychic illusions. (FILM: Beneath the Planet of the Apes)
*Forbidden knowledge: Zaius knew the secret history of both ape and human society. (FILM: Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes)
*Religious knowledge: As Chief Defender of the Faith Zaius could quote from the Lawgiver's Sacred Scrolls verbatim. (FILM: Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes)
==Notes==
=== Behind the Scenes ===
*Dr. Zaius was portrayed by English actor Maurice Evans.Planet of the Apes - IMDB - Retrieved 4 February 2021Beneath the Planet of the Apes - IMDB - Retrieved 4 February 2021Maurice Evans - IMDB - Retrieved 4 February 2021
=== Trivia ===
*Dr. Zaius has become a fixture in pop culture, including a beloved Simpsons parody.An Oral History of The Simpsons’ Classic Planet of the Apes Musical - Jesse David Fox - 13 July 2017 - Vulture - Retrieved 4 February 2021 Comedian Dana Gould has portrayed Zaius on several occasions, such as in interviews in which he recited real-life anecdotes about the making of the first film,Dr. Zaius: Planet of the Apes costar praises Charlton Heston - Christian Holub - 11 July 2016 - Entertainment Weekly - Retrieved 4 February 2021 or a Jimmy Kimmel interview in which Zaius was stated to have replaced Dr. Anthony Fauci as head of President Donald Trump's COVID-19 taskforce.PLANET OF THE APES' DR. ZAIUS MONKEYS AROUND WITH JIMMY KIMMEL IN VIRUS SAFETY INTERVIEW - Josh Weiss - 23 April 2020 - Syfy Wire - Retrieved 4 February 2021
*Zaius has been referenced in political discourse; President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi referenced the scene where Zaius was in chains and revealed to Taylor man's capacity for destruction in a 2012 interview with Time Magazine.An Interview with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi: ‘We’re Learning How to Be Free’ - Richard Stengel, Bobby Ghosh and Karl Vick - 28 November 2012 - Time Magazine - Retrieved 4 February 2021In Midst of Crisis, Egyptians Try to Untangle President’s ‘Planet of the Apes’ Metaphor - Robert Mackey - 28 November 2012 - The Lede - Retrieved 4 February 2021
==Appearances==
*Planet of the Apes (first appearance)
*Beneath the Planet of the Apes (final appearance)
==Links==
*Zaius on The Sacred Scrolls
*Dr. Zaius on the Villains Wiki
==References==
Category:Orangutans
Category:Villains
Category:Politicians
Category:Scientists
Category:Religious figures
Category:Film characters
Category:Characters played by Maurice Evans
Category:Deceased Characters
Category:Characters killed by planetary destruction
Category:3979 deaths
Category:40th century deaths
Category:Science fiction characters
Category:Science fiction villains