New "Planet of the Apes" Sequel in Planning

With worldwide box office takings of around 400 million dollars, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" was unable to match the figures of its predecessors, but it was still sufficiently successful. Now another sequel is being planned.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century boss Steve Asbell revealed that the so far untitled sequel is due to be released in 2027. It seems that they still believe in the film series' potential.

Whether Wes Ball, the director of the predecessor, will return to direct the film is unclear. Ball is currently working on the movie adaptation of the popular video game "The Legend of Zelda", which certainly raises questions about his availability. More likely, though, is the return of writing duo Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, who have been involved in the franchise since "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". According to reports, the two even have ideas and plans for up to eight more movies, which indicates a long-term future for the series. We are pretty excited!

Overview of All Planet of the Apes Movies

The "Planet of the Apes" series is one of the most impressive and long-lasting science fiction franchises in film history. Since the first movie in 1968, the franchise has evolved through numerous sequels, reinterpretations and prequels, constantly posing the question of what the world would look like if intelligent apes were to overtake humanity.

The Beginning: Planet of the Apes (1968)

The first "Planet of the Apes" movie from 1968, based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, set the standard for science fiction adventures and dystopian tales. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, astronaut George Taylor (played by Charlton Heston) lands on an alien planet where intelligent apes have seized power over humans. The moment of shock at the end - the destroyed Statue of Liberty - reveals that the planet is in fact a future version of Earth. The movie addresses profound questions about human nature, social hierarchies and racism. The film's commercial and critical success paved the way for a number of sequels in the 1970s.

The Original Sequel Series (1970-1973)

The success of the first movie led to four sequels, which were released between 1970 and 1973:

1. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): George Taylor goes missing, and a rescue mission leads astronaut Brent to the planet. The setting is expanded to include a subterranean society of people with telepathic abilities, but remains true to the dark tone of the series.
2. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): The third part takes an exciting turn by bringing three apes - Zira, Cornelius and Milo - back to the present day on Earth. The movie gives new insights into the background of ape society and lays the foundation for the origin of the "Planet of the Apes" future.
3. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): This movie recounts the rebellion of the apes against humans, led by an intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar. It deals with how oppression and discrimination can cause a revolution.
4. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): The last movie in the classic series shows the desperate attempt to make peaceful coexistence between humans and apes a reality. Caesar is at the center of the plot, which constitutes the keystone of the original saga.

Tim Burton's Remake (2001)

Director Tim Burton released a remake of the original in 2001. "Planet of the Apes" starring Mark Wahlberg was supposed to revive the franchise. Visually impressive, the movie received mixed reviews, however, as it lacked the poignancy and depth of the original films. Despite Burton's unique aesthetic, the movie failed to achieve the desired success and plans for a sequel were scrapped.

The Modern Trilogy (2011-2017)

The 2011 movie "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" began a new era for the franchise. The modern trilogy includes:

1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): The movie shows how the Alzheimer's drug ALZ-112 is tested on a chimpanzee named Caesar and gives him extraordinary intelligence. Caesar develops into the leader of the apes and sparks a revolution against humans.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Ten years after a viral outbreak, humans and apes live apart. Caesar tries to maintain peaceful coexistence, while conflicts and mistrust on both sides aggravate the situation. The film impresses with its profound character developments and elaborate CGI effects.
3. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): The war between humans and apes escalates when Caesar is forced to defend his tribe. This conclusion to the trilogy offers gripping action, emotional depth and philosophical questions about leadership, sacrifice and the cycle of violence.

These modern films, especially with the impressive motion-capture performance of Andy Serkis as Caesar, became a huge success and made the series relevant once again. The movies highlight the potential for conflict between humans and animals and bring the story to a complex and moving conclusion.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Following the success of the modern trilogy, the studio decided to continue the franchise with another film. "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" ties in thematically with the previous films and is set in a world where the ape civilization has evolved. Directed by Wes Ball, previously known for "The Maze Runner" series, the movie shows the social and political developments in the ape kingdom as humans continue to fight for their survival.