Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes release date, cast, plot, and everything we know so far. Upon the release of the latest installation of the Planet of the Apes franchise, the legacy of Caesar lives on.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Release Date
The 1968 film “Planet of the Apes,” an adaptation of Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel “La Planète des singes” (also known as “Monkey Planet”), was a significant critical and commercial success, leading to a series of sequels and spin-offs. Spanning from 1968 to 2001, the original “Planet of the Apes” series was followed by a reboot trilogy that began with “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” in 2011, introducing a new storyline centered around the chimpanzee Caesar. This trilogy continued with “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, the studio announced plans to continue the “Planet of the Apes” franchise. In September 2022, the title of the fourth movie in the reboot series was revealed as “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Set to release in 2024, this film marks the return to the world of intelligent apes on the big screen after nearly a seven-year hiatus since the last movie. Here’s a look at what is known so far about this eagerly awaited new installment in the “Planet of the Apes” saga.
When Will the Film Be Released?
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is scheduled for release on May 10, 2024, marking almost seven years since the previous installment, “War for the Planet of the Apes.” On its opening weekend, the film will face competition from several other major releases: the Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black,” the comedy “My Ex-Friend’s Wedding,” and the horror film “Horrorscope.”
The film’s release date was originally set for Memorial Day weekend, May 24, 2024. However, it was moved up two weeks to avoid direct competition with “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Garfield Movie,” allowing it a more favorable position in the crowded summer blockbuster schedule.
Will Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Be In Theaters or On Streaming?
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is set for an exclusive theatrical release initially. When it eventually transitions to streaming, the film is expected to become available on Disney+ or Hulu, given that it is being distributed by Disney-owned 20th Century Studios.
However, with Disney’s recent announcement about acquiring Comcast’s remaining stake in Hulu, there’s a strong possibility that by the time “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is ready for streaming, Disney+ and Hulu might have merged into a single streaming platform. This potential consolidation could streamline the availability of the film on one comprehensive streaming service.
The Film Plot
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is positioned as a soft reboot of the franchise, set several years after the events of the “Caesar Trilogy.” Although the new film will acknowledge the previous trilogy as part of its canon, it is expected that key characters from those films — including Caesar, Koba, Cornelia, Maurice, Rocket, and Nova — will not feature in this latest installment. This approach allows the franchise to maintain continuity while also exploring new narratives and characters within the established “Planet of the Apes” universe.
In “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the antagonist is introduced as Proximus Caesar, an ape who emerges as a cult-like leader. Proximus Caesar is depicted as enslaving other tribes of apes, thereby undermining and tarnishing the legacy and society that the original Caesar strived to build and uphold. This new character adds a complex layer to the narrative, contrasting the ideals and accomplishments of the original Caesar with a new, conflicting vision of leadership and society within the ape community.
The official synopsis from the creators of the film 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.”
Stars and Characters
In the upcoming “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which is set several generations after the previous film, a new cast takes the stage to reflect the passage of time within the story.
Owen Teague, known for his role in “IT,” stars as Noa, the film’s leading ape. He will be utilizing motion-capture technology for this role, a technique previously employed by Andy Serkis in his acclaimed portrayal of Caesar, the central ape character in the preceding trilogy. Teague’s role as Noa signifies a significant passing of the torch, as he steps into a pivotal position that Serkis brought to life with remarkable success in the earlier films of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise.
And while Serkis didn’t make a return to the new installment, Teague on the other hand did seek help from the veteran, and explaining in an interview, he said;
“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.”
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” features an impressive array of motion-capture performances. Kevin Durand, known for “The Strain,” portrays the villainous Proximus Caesar, while Peter Macon from “The Orville” plays Raka, an orangutan who becomes an ally to the film’s lead ape, Noa.
Other Notable Casts and Characters
Freya Allan, recognized for her role in “The Witcher,” takes on the role of Mae, the human lead who joins Noa on his journey. This marks a shift from the human cast members of the previous Caesar trilogy, which included James Franco, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Woody Harrelson, and Amiah Miller. None of these actors are slated to return for the new film, with Allan stepping into the forefront.
The ensemble cast also includes William H. Macy from “Shameless,” Eka Darville of “Jessica Jones,” Travis Jeffery known for “Unbroken,” Neil Sandilands from “Sweet Tooth,” Sara Wiseman of “A Place to Call Home,” Lydia Peckham from “Cowboy Bebop,” Ras-Samuel Weld A’abzgi in “The Clearing,” and Dichen Lachman of “Severance.” This diverse group of actors contributes to the depth and variety of the film, promising a rich and dynamic narrative.
When and Where Was the Movie Filmed?
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” commenced its production in October 2022. The principal photography for the film took place at Disney Studios Australia in Sydney, operating under the working title “Forbidden Zone.” This marked a significant phase in the production process, bringing the much-anticipated installment in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise closer to completion.
On February 15, 2023, a significant milestone was reached when the end of filming was announced. This announcement was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes (BTS) video from the sets of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” providing a glimpse into the production’s scale and the efforts involved in bringing the film to life. This completion of principal photography marked a crucial step towards the film’s eventual release and the continuation of the beloved franchise.
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