The Significance of ‘Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes’ Sequel for the $2.5 Billion Franchise

The eagerly anticipated sequel to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is set to bridge the gap between the modern reboot and the classic Planet of the Apes franchise. The conclusion of Kingdom has left fans buzzing with excitement as it introduces pivotal developments: Noa steps into a leadership role within the Eagle Clan, which marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between ape factions, while Mae uncovers a hidden colony filled with intelligent humans possessing advanced technologies capable of global communication.

In a recent discussion, Steve Asbell, the president of 20th Century Studios, revealed some exciting insights about the studio’s upcoming projects. He confirmed that a sequel to Alien: Romulus is on the horizon, alongside more Predator films and adaptations of Agatha Christie’s works. Notably, he announced that the next installment of the Planet of the Apes series is scheduled for release in 2027, hinting that this sequel holds more importance for the overarching narrative than it may initially appear.

The Modern Planet of the Apes Saga Will Equal the Original Series in Film Count

Both Franchises Will Feature Five Films

Freya Allan as Mae in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Noa Scar in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Noa, Rakka, and Mae prepare for battle in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

A still from the movie Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Scene from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

The forthcoming sequel to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will mark a crucial milestone; the reboot series will ultimately match the original series’ film count. The original Planet of the Apes saga, which debuted in 1968, comprises five films: Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, and Battle for the Planet of the Apes. It’s worth noting that Tim Burton’s 2001 adaptation stands apart as a standalone retelling.

The rebooted narrative unfolded in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, followed by two direct sequels: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2014, and War for the Planet of the Apes in 2017. Although Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes occurs 300 years after the trilogy’s events, it remains an integral continuation of that storyline. Upon the release of its sequel in 2027, the reboot series will have accomplished parity with the original saga in terms of movie count.

Are the Modern Planet of the Apes Movies in the Same Universe as the Originals?

Unraveling the Complicated Relationship

Caesar deep in thought during a scene in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, 2011.

The relationship between the modern Planet of the Apes films and the original series is complex. While the reboots are often referred to as prequels and build toward the universe established in the classic films, some narrative choices—such as their reinterpretation of the character Nova—suggest an intentional avoidance of contradictions with the original timeline. However, the origin of the “planet of the apes”in the rebooted series diverges significantly from storylines featuring time-traveling apes, hinting that Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and its earlier entries could exist in a distinct timeline altogether.

Source & Images