(Updated 04/30/2024)
The Apes have taken control of Earth, pushing humanity to the margins of existence. But there is no harmony between Ape tribes. In KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, a new Ape leader will threaten to destroy everything that has been built in just a few generations, all in search of a lost human technology.
Following Fox's last APES trilogy, which concluded with WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES in 2017, this movie marks the beginning of a new Ape saga. The trailers introduce many characters and set up the Ape-controlled world. Check it out and we'll tell you everything we know so far about KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES.
What Is the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Release Date?
20th Century Studios will release KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES exclusively in movie theaters on May 10, 2024.
Watch the FInal Trailer for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
This final trailer for KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES sets out all the characters, shows off the movie's impressive scope, and gives us a concise view of the movie's first act. Where does it go from there? We don't know!
What Is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes About?
We know this is planned as the first of multiple movies, and also notes that this first new movie takes place "many years after WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES."
In that movie, Caesar led Apes to an oasis where they could exist peacefully. Since settling there, a variety of Ape societies have grown as humanity has devolved outside the border of Ape lands. Caesar is an almost mythological figure, with some Apes existing in ignorance of his life and efforts, while others use Caesar's acts as a basis for their own struggle to gain power.
Against that backdrop, one ruthless new ape leader begins to enslave other groups, driving them to find human technology. Meanwhile, another ape, who watched his clan taken into slavery, embarks on a journey to find freedom. Finally, a young human woman becomes key to the young ape's freedom quest, while also harboring plans of her own. All of those elements are seen at least briefly in various trailers.
Will Humans Play a Big Role in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?
At this point we don't know how significant the role of human characters will be in KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. We know that at least one human will be important, and trailers prove that we'll see more of her family and society, at least briefly.
It sounds like there aren't a lot of humans left on Earth, but that doesn't mean they won't show up. Chances are, however, that most of the cast will be playing Ape characters using the same advanced mo-cap and CG-animation techniques seen in the last few films.
The Cast of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Owen Teague ("Black Mirror," "The Stand") stars in KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES as the chimpanzee, Noa. Freya Allen ("The Witcher") appears as the human girl mentioned above.
The cast also features Peter Macon as the orangutan, Raka; Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar, the brutal up-and-coming ape leader; Travis Jeffery as the chimpanzee Anaya; Lydia Peckham as the chimpanzee Soona; Neil Sandilands as Noa's father, Koro; and William H. Macy as the enslaved human, Trevathan.
Eka Darville, Sara Wiseman, and Ras-Samuel Weld A'abzgi also have roles, as does Dichen Lachman, of the wonderful TV series, "Severance."
Who Is Directing Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?
Wes Ball, who made the MAZE RUNNER movies, is directing KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. The movie went into production in October of 2022, based on a script by Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Patrick Aison, with input from Ball. Hungarian cinematographer Gyula Pados, who also shot the second and third MAZE RUNNER movies for Ball, is behind the camera.
John Paesano (THE MAZE RUNNER and Sony's Spider-Man games for the Playstations 4 and 5) wrote the score, while another of Wes Ball's MAZE RUNNER collaborators, Gyula Pados, served as cinematographer. And Wētā FX, previously known as WETA Digital, carries on the company's ground-breaking special effects developed for the last three APES movies.
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES opens on May 10, 2024.
All images courtesy of 20th Century Studios.