- Primary Subject: The development of a new Planet of the Apes film
- Key Update: 20th Century Studios is developing a new Planet of the Apes movie.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: May 7, 2026
- Quick Answer: Matt Shakman will direct a new Planet of the Apes film based on an original story, pivoting the franchise away from the current Kingdom storyline.
A new Planet of the Apes movie is currently in the works at 20th Century Studios, but will it have any connection to the previous installment?
Following the release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in 2024, fans have been wondering what's next for the franchise, whether it will continue the modern reboot or if it will be rebooted once again with a new take on the property. Now, an MCU director has been hired to bring the franchise to a new level.
What to Expect in the New Planet of the Apes Movies
Deadline reported that 20th Century Studios is currently developing a new Planet of the Apes movie, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman attached to helm.
Josh Friedman, who also co-wrote The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is also set to write the screenplay for the project. Shakman will also serve as producer.
The plot details are currently under wraps, but it won't be a continuation of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. It will be a new original story in the franchise that Shakman and Friedman are developing.
Shakman has become a high-profile movie director following the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was the most successful MCU release last year. There is no update yet on whether he will be attached to a potential sequel.
It remains unknown whether there are still plans to develop another Planet of the Apes project that will continue the events of Kingdom, but there were previous talks to do a continuation after that film's release.
For now, stay tuned for more news and updates regarding the project in the coming months.
The History of the Planet of the Apes Franchise
As one of 20th Century Studios' most beloved properties, the Planet of the Apes franchise has grown into a cinematic powerhouse with a staggering global box office of more than $1 billion.
It began in 1968 with the original adaptation of the Pierre Boulle novel, which became a cultural phenomenon and a box-office triumph. This initial success sparked an expansive media universe that eventually included four theatrical sequels and two television series.
The franchise has since undergone several remakes/reboots, starting with Tim Burton’s 2001 remake and followed by the highly successful 2011 reboot, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, from Matt Reeves.
That 2011 reboot launched a critically acclaimed trilogy that continued with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2014 and War for the Planet of the Apes in 2017. Most recently, director Wes Ball expanded the lore with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which resonated with both critics and audiences to earn $397 million worldwide in 2024.
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