The Planet of the Apes revival has found its new King of the Swingers!
Most of us assumed Matt Reeves' War for the Planet of the Apes would be the final instalment in the saga, but it was announced back in 2019 that a brand-new Apes movie was in early development at 20th Century Studios, with Wes Ball (The Maze Runner) at the helm.
Updates have been few and far between, but Deadline (via SFFGazette) is now reporting that Owen Teague has been cast in the lead role. Details on his character are still under wraps, but we do know that he'll play the film's "Lead Ape," taking over from Andy Serkis' beloved Caesar.
The iconic Apes franchise was rebooted (although the movies also served as prequels) back in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and the new trilogy wrapped-up in 2017's superb War for the Planet of the Apes. Although there is plenty of room to continue the story, the trades still don't seem too sure if this new instalment will be a follow-up or a full reboot.
Rumor has it that this fourth film will pick up many years after Caesar's death, with apes and humans coexisting to some extent, but that's yet to be confirmed.
Teague, who will probably be best known for his impressively unhinged turn as Harold Lauder in the recent TV adaptation of Stephen King's The Stand, is said to have "wowed execs with his screen tests" before being offered the gig shortly after.
No release date has been announced, but Ball and co. are reportedly hoping to begin shooting the new Planet of the Apes movie before the end of the year.
What do you guys make of this news? Are you looking forward to another Apes movie, or do you think the saga was brought to a fitting close with WFTPOTA?
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.