In a move that signals confidence in their upcoming summer tentpole “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment are bringing back Matt Reeves to direct a third film in the budding sci-fi franchise, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
Reeves will write the script with Mark Bomback, who wrote “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” which Fox opens on July 11.
The sequel stars Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Keri Russell, though the real star of the show will no doubt be lead ape Caesar, who is so vividly brought to life by Andy Serkis. “Dawn” finds Caesar’s army of apes fighting a group of human survivors.
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Along with “Avatar” and “X-Men,” “Apes” is a priority franchise for Fox, which expects Reeves to go right into the third film.
2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” erased Tim Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” misfire from memory en route to grossing $482 million worldwide.
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Reeves previously directed “Cloverfield” and “Let Me In.” He’s repped by CAA, 3 Arts Entertainment and attorney Karl Austen.
Deadline broke the news.