In 2011, director Rupert Wyatt relaunched the popular but long-dormant Planet of the Apes franchise. It was a grand venture, especially given the classic nature of the 1968 original screenplay with leading man Charlton Heston. Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes would be the first of a trilogy. Together, the three films would give a complete and riveting account of the uprising of the primate class to become the dominant species on the planet. The sequels, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War of the Planet of the Apes fell under the direction of Matt Reeves.
It has been five years since the apes waged war against humanity, leaving viewers parched with anticipation. What becomes of a world ruled by primates? Alas, there is hope for a conclusion. In the late spring of 2024, fans will finally see a conclusion to the dramatic epic. Here is what to know about the upcoming film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Updated November 5, 2023: This article has been updated with more recent information regarding Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: The Plot
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the next chapter following the 2017 film War of the Planet of the Apes. The story picks up many years into the future. The primates have taken on humanity to exercise their right to rule. Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Caesar (played by Andy Serkis) is no longer alive, his martyrdom a distant memory, but his legacy is in full effect.
The official trailer for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was released by 20th Century Studios on November 2, 2023. The trailer gives viewers a glimpse into the ape-dominated world, with a sprawling jungle where humans live in hiding, afraid of the superior apes.
The trailer shows an extremely well-developed ape society where the apes speak fluent English and appear to be broken into classes. Humans are widely disregarded and reduced to a purely animalistic state. They are hunted by the apes and rounded up to work. However, the trailer shows that not all apes are cruel towards humans.
One ape, in particular, appears to be sympathetic towards a young human girl, looking at her with curiosity and throwing her food. With the focus that the trailer affords to this ape, it is likely that the character may take on a lead role in the film. The ape's curiosity regarding humans may also signal a possible alliance between the two species at some point in the narrative of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: The Cast
The cast of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be entirely new, given the fact that it is set many years after the last film. Owen Teague (It) is set to play the main ape in the film. While it was originally believed to be Cornelius, the son of Caesar, it is now confirmed the character is named Nao. Teague will be taking on the lead role from Andy Serkis, who played Caesar in previous films.
The human lead of the film will be played by Freya Allan (The Witcher). Kevin Durand (The Mortal Instruments City of Bones) will be playing the role of Proximus Caesar, a powerful chimpanzee ruler who leads a coastal clan of apes. Meanwhile, Peter Macon (The Orville) will play Raka, a wise orangutan.
Planet of the Apes: How the 1968 Film Still Holds Up After Half a Century
The original Planet of the Apes film was a groundbreaking science-fiction film in 1968. Now, half a century later, here is how it holds up.Others who will be joining the cast of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes include Eka Darville (The Sapphires), Travis Jeffery (Rancour), Neil Sandilands (The Flash), Sara Wiseman (Nerve), Ras-Samuel Welda’abzgi (Found in a Dream), and Lydia Peckham (Cowboy Bebop). Details regarding the roles that these cast members will be playing have not been confirmed at the time of writing.
Production and a Possible Trilogy
Production on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes commenced in October 2022. Principal photography for the film took place at Disney Studios Australia in Sydney. In February, Wes Ball, famed director of films Maze Runner, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, and Maze Runner: Death Cure, who is serving as director of this project, confirmed the end of filming. What proves even more interesting are the reports that Disney has been so enamored with the script that there are plans for another possible trilogy.
How Will Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Tie Into the Original Film?
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will once again revive the classic science fiction series. But what will the movie be about?As an interesting aside, according to press releases, this story is being scripted by a four-person team, which includes Amanda Silver, Rick Jaffa, Patrick Anson, and Josh Friedman. Silver and Jafa previously penned the prior three Planet of the Apes movies, so there is some continuity behind the scenes. Friedman is known for his work on Terminator: Dark Fate and Avatar: The Way of Water and is also working on Marvel's upcoming Fantastic Four. Anson wrote the critically acclaimed Predator prequel, Prey. Given this team of creatives, expectations are high for a rich and robust story with a depth of perspective.
Release Date
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes marks the first film in the Planet of the Apes franchises released under Disney since they acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019. The studio has given Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes the highly coveted Memorial Day weekend release slot. The film will open in theaters on May 24, 2024.