Wes Ball Tabbed to Develop and Direct new PLANET OF THE APES Film

Filmmaker Wes Ball has been selected by Fox Searchlight Pictures to spearhead a new Planet of the Apes sequel (or prequel).

The current film franchise is based on 1968’s Planet of the Apes, which starred Charlton Heston. Four sequels ensued, Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973).

The current ongoing franchise serves as a prequel to its predecessor on how the planet came to be overcome by the apes. It launched in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which starred James Franco as the doctor responsible for allowing Caesar, played by Andy Serkis, to garner power and influence all of ape-kind. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes continued the story in 2014, while War of the Planet of the Apes, in 2017, resulted in the almost annihilation of all humankind.

There was also a 2001 reboot, Planet of the Apes, which starred Mark Wahlberg, but wasn’t received well.

Ball is known for having directed and produced the Maze Runner trilogy, The Maze Runner, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and Maze Runner: The Death Cure. He also has an adaptation of the Boom! Studios original graphic novel, Mouse Guard, coming as well.

No news yet as to whether the upcoming installment will fit into the current prequel franchise, serve as a sequel to the original or be a standalone film.

Click HERE for the exclusive source article, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.

“Apes. Together. Strong!”