New Planet of the Apes film in development under Matt Shakman

The return of the Planet of the Apes franchise is now official, with a new film currently in development. This latest project is in the hands of Matt Shakman , the director known for The Fantastic Four: First Steps . The film is expected to be a reboot of the beloved franchise.

Original story

Unlike the previous film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , which was released in May 2024, the new movie will tell an original story and will not directly continue the existing storyline. That gives both new and longtime fans of the series a fresh start. The story is being developed in part by Josh Friedman , who also wrote the script for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes . Details about the plot remain under wraps, fueling speculation and curiosity among fans.

Uncertainty around the franchise

Questions have emerged about the future of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , especially now that plans for the sequel appear to have been rewritten or shelved for the time being. It’s possible that the departure of Wes Ball , the director of the previous film, to a The Legend of Zelda adaptation for Sony played a role in that shift. This could also affect the schedule and production of future films within the Fantastic Four franchise, where Shakman is also closely involved.

Box office and reviews

The previous film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , launched to positive reviews and a strong box office performance, pointing to the potential for a new trilogy. With the expected reboot, expectations are high based on the success of its predecessor, putting pressure on the filmmakers to once again deliver a gripping and immersive experience for audiences.

It remains unclear when the new Planet of the Apes film will arrive, only adding to fans’ curiosity and hope. While details are scarce, the collaboration between Shakman and Friedman will certainly reflect the franchise’s continuity as they try to win back fans’ hearts once again.