Training monkeys for film roles takes time, patience, and expert handlers. Trainers use positive reinforcement techniques to teach them actions, gestures, and even timed reactions. Monkeys, especially capuchins, are quick learners and have been used in roles ranging from drama to comedy to action. However, many studios are now turning to CGI and motion capture to recreate monkey behavior on screen—especially after concerns about animal welfare. Films like Rise of the Planet of the Apes used performance capture to depict hyper-realistic apes with human emotions, raising the bar for what’s possible without using real animals.
