New Planet of the Apes film in development under Matt Shakman

A new film in the Planet of the Apes franchise is in the works under director Matt Shakman, known for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The development has caught the attention of both fans and film critics, especially given the franchise’s unique place in movie history.

Matt Shakman and original story

Following the success of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which was released in May 2024, 20th Century Studios has decided to take the series in a new direction. Shakman is working with Josh Friedman, the writer of the previous film, on an original story. That raises questions about the franchise’s continuity and what it means for the future of Planet of the Apes.

Friedman and Shakman are tempering expectations of a direct continuation of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and appear to be aiming for a story that does not necessarily pick up where the last film left off. That has sparked rumors that the new movie could lean more toward a reboot, leaving fans divided.

No direct continuation of the previous film

According to reports, the new film will not be a direct sequel to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. That has led to speculation about the franchise’s possible direction. Steve Asbell, head of 20th Century Studios, noted that the interpretation of the word