“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” premiered earlier this year and became a major hit. It earned nearly $400 million at the box office, showing just how popular the movie was with fans worldwide. It also received strong feedback from critics and audiences.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it got a score of 80% from critics and a 77% rating from the audience, both reflecting the film’s success. These results left fans eager to see what comes next for the Planet of the Apes franchise.
With the previous Planet of the Apes trilogy, which starred Andy Serkis as Caesar, being such a landmark in cinema, many fans have been wondering if this new movie, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, would mark the beginning of another trilogy.
These kinds of questions have been floating around ever since Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was first released. Would 20th Century Studios go for another trilogy? Would the new storyline continue in the same epic way that the previous one did?
Steve Asbell, an executive at 20th Century Studios, recently confirmed that there is indeed more to come. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Asbell revealed the big news that fans have been waiting for a new Planet of the Apes movie is in development, and it’s scheduled to hit theaters in 2027.
While he didn’t go into too many specifics about the upcoming film, many believe that it will likely be a direct follow-up to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. It’s an exciting development for fans of the franchise who are eager for the next chapter in the story.
The Cast of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Owen Teague plays the leading role of Noa, a key figure in a world now dominated by intelligent apes. Teague brings depth to the role, and his character is central to the movie’s complex storyline. Noa is caught in the middle of the apes’ world, struggling to find his place in this new order.
Freya Allan, known for her work in The Witcher, is cast as Nova, also called Mae. Nova is one of the primary human characters in a society where apes have risen to power.
Allan’s character is crucial because she shows the human side of the story in a world where humans are no longer in charge. Her role adds emotional weight to the film, and her performance has been praised for capturing the struggles of humanity in this challenging world.
The movie also features Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar, the antagonist of the film. Durand, who many remember from his role as Fred Dukes (also known as “Blob”) in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, plays a complex and ruthless leader.
His character, Proximus Caesar, leads with an iron fist, hiding his brutality behind a veil of reason. He is a cunning and powerful ape, making him a formidable opponent in the movie. His leadership style raises questions about morality and power in a society where apes are the dominant species.
Another notable actor in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is William H. Macy. Macy, who is well-known for playing memorable roles like Little Bill in Boogie Nights and Frank Gallagher in Shameless, takes on the role of Trevathan, a human advisor to Proximus Caesar.
Trevathan’s role is interesting because it shows how some humans have adapted to this new world and are working with the apes rather than against them. His character provides a different perspective on how humans and apes interact in this evolving world.
The movie also features Peter Macon as Raka, Eka Darville as Sylva, Travis Jeffery as Anaya, and Lydia Peckham as Soona. These characters help build the rich and complex world of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, making it a movie full of intriguing dynamics and deep storytelling.
Who Directed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?
Wes Ball directed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and his work behind the camera has been highly praised. Ball is known for directing the Maze Runner trilogy, another successful franchise that attracted audiences. His experience directing action-packed, character-driven films made him the perfect choice to helm this installment of the Planet of the Apes series.
Ball made his directorial debut with the first Maze Runner film in 2014, which starred Dylan O’Brien and Will Poulter. The film’s success led to two sequels, both of which were also directed by Ball.
With each movie, Ball demonstrated his ability to create thrilling, visually stunning worlds while also focusing on character development. His experience with the Maze Runner trilogy helped him handle the large-scale production of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes with confidence and vision.
Alongside Ball, Josh Freidman was responsible for writing the script. Freidman’s storytelling is sharp and filled with rich details, which helped make Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes a movie that balanced intense action with meaningful narrative. Their partnership resulted in a film that pleased both longtime fans of the franchise and new viewers alike.
Looking ahead, Wes Ball has also been selected to direct the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, one of the most beloved and iconic video game franchises of all time. This shows that his career continues to rise, and his work on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is another example of his growing influence in Hollywood.
What’s Next for the Planet of the Apes Franchise?
With the news that another Planet of the Apes movie is on the way, scheduled for release in 2027, fans are left wondering what the next film will look like. Although no major details about the plot or cast have been confirmed yet, it’s expected that this new installment will likely be a direct sequel to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
This means that characters like Noa and Nova might return, and we could see more of the power struggles between the apes and humans in this evolving world.
While Steve Asbell didn’t reveal much more about the future of the franchise, his confirmation of the 2027 release gives hope that the Planet of the Apes story is far from over. Fans will be eagerly waiting for more information in the coming years as production on the film moves forward.
Given the success of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at the box office and the positive reception from critics and audiences, there’s little doubt that the next installment will be highly anticipated.
The Planet of the Apes franchise has always been known for tackling big themes, such as survival, power, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
As the series moves forward, fans can expect these themes to continue being shown in exciting and thought-provoking ways. The dynamic between humans and apes will likely be a central focus in the new movie, and it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers continue to develop this storyline.
Where Can You Watch Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?
If you haven’t seen Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes yet, it’s currently available for streaming on Hulu. The movie’s availability on a popular streaming service like Hulu means that even more people have the opportunity to experience this exciting chapter of the Planet of the Apes story.
As fans await the next movie, many will likely revisit Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to prepare for what’s coming in 2027.
Final Thoughts
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes proved to be a massive success, both in terms of box office earnings and critical reception. With a strong cast led by Owen Teague, Freya Allan, and Kevin Durand, and the direction of Wes Ball, the movie delivered on the promise of thrilling action and a deep, engaging story.
Now, with another film set for release in 2027, fans of the franchise have plenty to look forward to. The world of Planet of the Apes continues to grow, and its future looks bright.
