Matt Shakman Takes the ‘Planet of the Apes’ Franchise in a Whole New Direction
Few science fiction properties have demonstrated the kind of staying power that ‘Planet of the Apes‘ has shown across decades and multiple reinventions. From its iconic 1968 origins rooted in Cold War anxiety to the emotionally rich Caesar trilogy of the 2010s, the franchise has continually found ways to remain culturally relevant while exploring timeless themes about power, humanity, and survival.
The modern era reached a milestone with ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’, directed by Wes Ball, which extended the story generations beyond the Caesar saga and earned $397.3 million worldwide. The film was broadly well received and concluded with an open-ended setup that made a direct sequel feel like a natural next step for the studio.
That sequel is not coming, at least not in the form fans were expecting. Sources tell Deadline that 20th Century Studios has set Matt Shakman to direct an untitled ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie, with Josh Friedman writing the screenplay and Shakman also producing alongside longtime franchise producers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Notably, the new project will not continue the story from ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ but will instead be a brand-new original story that Shakman and Friedman are developing together.
The pairing of Shakman and Friedman carries real momentum behind it. The two previously collaborated on ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, with Friedman writing the screenplay and Shakman directing. That film brought in $521 million at the global box office, and Friedman has also co-written the blockbusters ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ for 20th Century Studios.
Shakman arrives at this project with a résumé that spans both prestige television and large-scale spectacle. His credits include directing Marvel Studios’ ‘WandaVision’, as well as episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Succession’, and ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’. That combination of intimate character work and high-concept world-building makes him an intriguing choice for a franchise that has always lived at the intersection of those two things.
While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, reports indicate the new film will mark a return to the planet where apes stand as the ruling species, though it will feature new characters and a fresh storyline rather than picking up threads from the previous film. Across its history, the ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise has grossed more than $1.7 billion in worldwide box office receipts.
The decision to step away from ‘Kingdom’s storyline is notable given that film ended on a significant cliffhanger, effectively marking a second narrative restart within the same era of the franchise. Whether that creative gamble pays off or leaves a sizable portion of the fanbase frustrated is the real story to follow as development progresses.
Are you excited to see the franchise push in a completely new direction, or were you holding out for a proper follow-up to where ‘Kingdom’ left things?
