The 'Planet of the Apes' franchise is moving forward with another new movie, and Matt Shakman has officially signed on to direct it. The filmmaker recently helmed 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' and will now take charge of the next chapter in the long-running sci-fi series.
Shakman will reunite with writer Josh Friedman, who previously worked with him on 'Fantastic Four: First Steps.' Friedman also wrote 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' and is returning to pen the script for the upcoming film. However, reports suggest the project will not be a direct sequel to 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.'
Image Courtesy: IMDb
About 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'
Released in 2024, 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' was directed by Wes Ball and became the 10th movie in the 'Planet of the Apes' franchise. It also served as the fourth film in the reboot series that began with 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' in 2011.
The story of 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' took place generations after the previous trilogy and introduced a new cast of characters, including chimpanzee Noa, played by Owen Teague, and Mae, portrayed by Freya Allan. The film's ending hinted at more stories to come within the evolving world of apes and humans.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Wes Ball had previously expressed interest in continuing the story, saying there was still plenty to explore with the new characters and their future arcs. However, the director has since shifted focus to a live-action adaptation of 'The Legend of Zelda.'
Shakman already has experience handling large-scale fantasy and sci-fi projects. Alongside directing 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' he also worked as a director and producer on the Apple TV+ monster series 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.'
