After delivering massive success with Fantastic Four: First Steps, crossing over a million worldwide, Matt Shakman seems far from done with blockbuster chaos as he steps into an untitled Planet of the Apes project currently in development. Widely recognised for blending emotionally driven storytelling with grand-scale spectacle, the filmmaker has steadily emerged as one of Hollywood’s most trusted franchise architects, further adding to the anticipation of his upcoming project.

As reported by Deadline, the new Planet of the Apes project at 20th Century Studios will also see Matt Shakman producing alongside longtime franchise producers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Meanwhile, screenwriter Josh Friedman, known for titles like Avatar: The Way of Water, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, has reportedly taken command of the story. While plot details are tightly under wraps, the film is expected to return audiences to the ape-ruled world where humanity no longer stands at the top of the chain.

However, the project will not continue the story of 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, but instead unfold as an entirely new original chapter currently being developed by Shakman and Friedman.

Shakman has steadily built a strong reputation within Disney and franchise fandoms, with an Emmy nomination for directing WandaVision, a project that ultimately paved his path toward Fantastic Four: First Steps, which pulled in over $521 million globally. Beyond Marvel, Shakman has continued shaping major television titles, including Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, The Consultant, Welcome to Chippendales, and The Great.

However, this is hardly the first roar from Planet of the Apes, as the saga has ruled sci-fi screens for decades.

Every major Planet of the Apes adaptation so far

The legacy of Planet of the Apes is far from new to fandoms, having evolved across generations into one of Hollywood’s most celebrated sci-fi universes. Built from Pierre Boulle’s original novel, the franchise first exploded with the 1968 classic Planet of the Apes, later expanding through sequels, television adaptations, and Tim Burton’s 2001 reimagining. The saga eventually found a powerful modern resurgence with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, followed by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, helping the franchise roar past $1.7 billion at the global box office and cementing its dominance within sci-fi cinema.

In fact, one of the franchise’s biggest modern successes came with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Wes Ball. Released in May 2024, the soft reboot unfolded 300 years after War for the Planet of the Apes and earned nearly $395 million worldwide against a $160 million budget. The film also pulled strong critical praise for its “Avatar-level” visuals, holding an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score and securing a Best Visual Effects nomination at the 97th Academy Awards.

And now, as Matt Shakman prepares to step deeper into the apes world, the long-running sci-fi saga once again appears ready to charge into an entirely new era with a fresh story waiting ahead.

Are you excited to witness a brand-new Planet of the Apes story? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Lisa Roy

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui