A new “Planet of the Apes” film, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is set to begin production next month and has “The Witcher” actress Freya Allen attached to star, 20th Century Studios announced on Thursday.
Wes Ball (“The Maze Runner” trilogy) is set to direct new chapter.
The film also stars Owen Teague (“It”) and Peter Macon (“The Orville”). “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” picks up many years after the conclusion of 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
The script is written by Josh Friedman (“War of the Worlds”), Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), and Patrick Aison (“Prey”).
The film’s producers are Joe Hartwick Jr. (“The Maze Runner” trilogy), Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver and Jason Reed (“Mulan”). Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping are the executive producers.
“’Planet of the Apes’ is one of the most iconic and storied science fiction franchises in film history, as well as being an indelible part of our studio’s legacy,” Steve Asbell, president 20th Century Studios, said in a statement.” “With ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ we are privileged to continue the series’ tradition of imaginative, thought-provoking cinema, and can’t wait to share Wes’ extraordinary vision for this new chapter with audiences in 2024.”
The franchise began with the 1968 Charlton Heston classic based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, which spawned four sequels. Tim Burton did one of his reimaginings in 2001 with a film starring Mark Wahlberg. The last trilogy directed by Matt Reeves’ earned $1.68 billion at the worldwide box office.
Deadline first reported the news.