The 1968 cinematic adaptation of Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel “La Planète des singes” (also known as “Planet of the Apes” or “Monkey Planet”) achieved both critical acclaim and financial success, igniting a wave of sequels and spinoffs. Following six films in the original “Planet of the Apes” series spanning from 1968 to 2001, a reboot series was announced, offering a fresh interpretation of the story centered around the character of the chimpanzee Caesar. The first film in this reboot series, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” debuted in 2011, followed by “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
Following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in April 2019, it was revealed that more “Planet of the Apes” movies were in the works. In September 2022, the title of the fourth installment in the reboot series was announced as “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Fans eagerly anticipate their return to the ape-dominated landscapes on the silver screen in 2024, marking nearly seven years since the last installment. Here’s what we know about the highly anticipated upcoming film.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Release date
Scheduled for release on May 10, 2024, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” marks the return of the franchise after a hiatus of nearly seven years since the last installment, “War for the Planet of the Apes.” This highly anticipated sequel will face off against stiff competition in its opening weekend, as it contends with the release of the faith-based spoof movie “Not Another Church Movie,” featuring notable actors Jamie Foxx, and the directorial debut of Chris Pine in “Poolman.”
Originally slated for release over Memorial Day weekend on May 24, 2024, the film’s release date was rescheduled two weeks earlier to avoid direct competition with other major releases such as “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Garfield Movie.” This strategic adjustment aims to maximize audience engagement and box office success by avoiding overcrowding at the theaters and ensuring optimal visibility and reception for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Plot
The official synopsis for the film from 20th Century Studios reads:
Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Set to serve as a soft reboot of the beloved franchise, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” will transport audiences into a world years beyond the events of the acclaimed “Caesar Trilogy.” While these previous films will remain canonical to the new installment, fans should expect a fresh narrative direction as iconic characters like Caesar, Koba, Cornelia, Maurice, Rocket, and Nova are not expected to make appearances.
In a tantalizing sneak peek provided by Empire magazine, director Wes Ball offered insights into the film’s thematic trajectory. While Caesar’s presence persists as a guiding spirit, the spotlight will shift to a new generation of apes. Ball teased, “..if the last three movies were the Stone Age, here we get to see what happens when they enter the Bronze Age.”
Further revelations from Empire’s exclusive coverage shed light on the temporal setting of the film, positioned 300 years after Caesar’s demise. The lead ape, Noa, finds himself grappling with the legacy of his legendary ancestor. Ball elaborated, stating, “Part of his journey is a discovery of that legacy and its various interpretations. Noa has to make sense of what it all means.”
Adding intrigue to the narrative is the introduction of the film’s antagonist, Proximus Caesar, an ape leader with cult-like influence who enslaves other tribes. Proximus Caesar’s reign threatens to undermine the hard-won societal order forged by the original Caesar.
Notably, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is poised to break records as the longest film in the franchise, boasting a runtime of 145 minutes. This extended duration promises ample time for audiences to immerse themselves in the richly developed world and complex characters envisioned by the filmmakers.
As anticipation mounts for this bold new chapter in the “Planet of the Apes” saga, fans eagerly await the unveiling of this epic tale on the silver screen, set to redefine the boundaries of the beloved franchise.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Cast
As the latest installment in the beloved “Planet of the Apes” franchise ventures into uncharted territory “several generations” after the events of its predecessor, anticipation mounts as a fresh ensemble takes center stage.
Leading the charge is Owen Teague (“IT”), who steps into the role of Noa, the film’s protagonist, utilizing cutting-edge motion-capture technology to bring the character to life. Teague follows in the footsteps of Andy Serkis, who garnered widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Caesar in the previous trilogy. Although Serkis did not return for the new installment, Teague sought guidance from the motion-capture pioneer, noting in an interview:
“The hardest part about it was just learning how to be in a suit all day and have a camera strapped to your head. But you get used to it after about a week, and I remember Andy being like, ‘You’ll get used to it and you’ll stop worrying about it after the first week.’ And he was absolutely right. The rest of motion capture is just what you would do otherwise, and the difference between a human and whatever you’re playing just becomes a costume, so you don’t even really think about it that much.”
Joining Teague in the motion-capture realm are Kevin Durand (“The Strain”) as the formidable Proximus Caesar and Peter Macon (“The Orville”) as Raka, an orangutan ally to Noa on his journey.
On the human side of the cast, Freya Allan (“The Witcher”) takes on the role of Mae, a young woman who embarks on a transformative journey alongside the young ape. While previous installments featured an illustrious human cast including James Franco, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Woody Harrelson, and Amiah Miller, the torch is passed to Allan for this new chapter.
Rounding out the ensemble are William H. Macy (“Shameless”), Eka Darville (“Jessica Jones”), Travis Jeffery (“Unbroken”), Neil Sandilands (“Sweet Tooth”), Sara Wiseman (“A Place to Call Home”), Lydia Peckham (“Cowboy Bebop”), Ras-Samuel Weld A’abzgi (“The Clearing”), and Dichen Lachman (“Severance”). While details about their characters remain under wraps, speculation runs rampant about the roles they will inhabit in this immersive new world.
As excitement builds for the release of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” fans eagerly anticipate the unveiling of this dynamic ensemble and the unforgettable characters they will bring to life on the big screen.
Will ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Be in Theaters or on Streaming?
“Exclusive Theatrical Release for ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,’ Disney+ or Hulu Likely Streaming Destinations”
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is set to enjoy an exclusive theatrical release, providing audiences with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cinematic experience on the big screen. However, when the time comes for the film to make its streaming debut, it is highly probable that it will find a home on either Disney+ or Hulu. This expectation stems from the fact that the film is being distributed by 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of Disney.
Furthermore, recent developments in the streaming landscape indicate the possibility of Disney+ and Hulu merging into a singular streaming platform. With Disney in the process of acquiring Comcast’s remaining stake in Hulu, the consolidation of these two streaming services appears increasingly likely. Therefore, by the time “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” becomes available for streaming, viewers may have the convenience of accessing it through a unified streaming app, offering a seamless and comprehensive entertainment experience.