The upcoming film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is poised to make a significant mark in the franchise by being the longest entry to date. Scheduled for release on May 10, the movie boasts a runtime of 145 minutes, surpassing all previous installments in the series.
As the next chapter in the Apes saga, the film aims to bridge the gap between the current storyline and the original 1968 classic. Drawing inspiration from recent successful releases like Dune: Part Two, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes hopes to captivate audiences with its expansive narrative.
The modern Apes films have reimagined the world where primates have risen to dominance, starting with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which introduced the intelligent ape, Caesar. Subsequent films, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, further developed the saga, culminating in a record-breaking 140-minute runtime for the final installment.
Directed by Wes Ball, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes propels the story 300 years into the future, depicting a world where humans have regressed while apes have thrived. The film follows the journey of Noa, a young ape, and Mae, a human girl, as they navigate the evolving dynamics between their species.
Looking ahead, the success of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will determine the future of the franchise. Director Wes Ball has hinted at the possibility of more films, suggesting that the upcoming release will leave the door open for further exploration of the Apes universe.
Mark your calendars for May 20, 2024, when Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes hits theaters. For fans eager to catch up on the series, the original Planet of the Apes movies are available for streaming on Starz, while the recent trilogy can be found on Hulu, Max, and TNT.