Exciting news for fans of the Planet of the Apes franchise! A report in The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Dichen Lachman has joined the cast of 20th Century Studios' upcoming film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
A well-known role of Dichen Lachman's is as a wellness counselor in the 2006 dark comedy Severance, where she had an unusual connection with Adam Scott's character. The performance she gave in this film caught the attention of audiences and critics alike, and strengthened her reputation as a promising actress.
Throughout her career, Lachman has worked on projects across a range of genres and media. She has appeared in several high-profile films, such as Jurassic World Dominion, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. among others. Aside from her work in film, Lachman has also been part of television, with appearances in shows such as Dollhouse, Being Human, and Altered Carbon.
What to Expect from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
As a new chapter in the franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after War For the Planet of the Apes. It is set in a world where Caesar's leadership has led to the flourishing of ape societies, but the decline of humans.
Throughout the film, two parallel stories are told. In these stories, one ape leader aims to enslave other groups in order to gain access to human technology, and another ape seeks freedom. A young human woman will play a crucial role in his quest, but she has her own motives.
Since its debut in 1968, the Planet of the Apes franchise has been a popular part of pop culture. With each installment, fans have seen the progression of storylines, characters, and visual effects, including performance capture technology. The most recent releases in the franchise involve the Andy Serkis-starring trilogy, which began with Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011 and concluded with War For the Planet of the Apes in 2017. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be released in theaters on May 24, 2024.
The movie has already started filming in Australia. Lachman will join a cast that includes Freya Allan, Owen Teague, William H. Macy, and Kevin Durand. Among the other stars are Eka Darville, Travis Jeffery, Neil Sandilands, Sara Wiseman, Lydia Peckham, and Ras-Samuel Weld A'abzgi. The movie will be directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on The Maze Runner franchise. The screenplay has been written by a team of talented writers including Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Patrick Aison.