Fox
After War for the Planets of the Apes was released back in 2017, the modern-day Apes franchise firmly established itself as one of the best action franchises in Hollywood.
Not only were all of the films financially viable — all three made over $480 million at the global box office — but they were all critically acclaimed, as each sits above an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Beginning with 2011’s surprisingly awesome Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the franchise would grow into one of the most thoughtful and slickly produced action franchises that Hollywood has to offer under the guidance of director Matt Reeves, who directed the film’s two sequels: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Now, two years after the franchise seemingly concluded, Fox is going back to the ape well, as it’s being reported that they’ve hired Maze Runner franchise director Wes Ball to helm a new Apes film.
The move makes Apes one of the first historically significant Fox titles to get the redevelopment treatment since Disney’s acquisition of the storied studio.
Ball’s Maze Runner trilogy, set in its own dystopian future, grossed almost $1 billion worldwide while being produced on modest budgets. The filmmaker was due to tackle a pricey and special effects-heavy adaptation of Boom! Comics’ Mouse Guard before that project was shelved by Disney earlier this year. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
At this time, it is unclear if the new film is meant to be an entirely new reboot or an extension of the previous series.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com