The apes are coming back — and not the AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc (NYSE:AMC) or GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) variety, but the cinematic simians of a not-so-distant future with an eye on world conquest.
What Happened: According to a ScreenRant article, the Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS) is moving forward with a new trilogy in the Planet of the Apes franchise that was previously rebooted in a trilogy during the 2010s which generated $1.6 billion at the box office.
The new trilogy is reportedly planning to build on the previous trilogy’s storylines rather than reimagine the series, which started in 1968 with the classic “Planet of the Apes” that generated four sequels.
Disney’s 20th Century Studios unit assigned “Maze Runner” trilogy director Wes Ball with the task of creating a new storyline and there was initial talk that production could begin as early as the summer or fall of this year.
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What Happened Next: Deadline reporter Justin Kroll tweeted that Ball has stepped away from his previous commitment to direct the Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARAA) (NASDAQ:PARA) production “Harbinger” to focus on this project.
“Sources say 20th and Disney were very high on the script that came in last month and are now set to find the star of the film that will hopefully lead future installments of new trilogy of films,” Kroll tweeted.
Planet of the Apes would be the latest extension of a Disney franchise, with the studio planning a 2023 release slate that includes live-action versions of “Snow White” and “The Little Mermaid,” the fifth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise and sequels to “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Cruella.”
Trading Action: Disney shares closed today at $94.30; the 52-week trading range is $92.01 to $187.58.
Photo: "War for the Planet of the Apes" (2017), courtesy of Disney/20th Century
