The classic sci-fi franchise grew even larger in 2024 with the release of the latest Planet of the Apes movie in 2024, and a Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sequel will continue the trilogy. The film franchise debuted with the release of the 1968 movie, loosely based on Pierre Boulle's novel, which concerns a band of astronauts crash-landing on Earth in the distant future to find it is run by intelligent apes who enslave humans. Across a slew of sequels throughout the '70s, the hit movie grew into a franchise, even if critical and commercial results dipped dramatically.

A failed Planet of the Apes remake by Tim Burton attempted to reboot the beloved series, but the franchise's true return to glory came with the release of 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The blockbuster prequel kicked off a trilogy of films throughout the 2010s that explained humanity's fall and the rise of the intelligent apes. A fourth film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, arrived in 2024 and moves forward in the timeline a bit, and has the potential to set up a whole new series of Planet of the Apes prequel films.

The Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Sequel Latest News

The Sequel's Release Year Is Revealed

Though the status of the sequel is currently unknown, the latest news confirms the release year for the next Planet of the Apes movie. In lieu of an official confirmation of the continuation of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, 20th Century Studios President Steve Asbell instead let it be known that the next movie would arrive in 2027. This will come three years after the blockbuster release of Kingdom and was just one of many sequel projects that Asbell teased in October 2024.

Asbell also teased further sequels to Predator, Avatar, and even more adaptations of Agatha Christie novels.

A Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Sequel Is In Development

Plans Are Being Made To Continue Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

One telling sign about the future of the franchise comes within the movie itself, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes clearly tips its hand in revealing that the story is only just the beginning

The return of the blockbuster Planet of the Apes franchise in 2024's Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was a welcome sight for moviegoers, and it's clear that work is being done on a follow-up as well. Though 20th Century Studios hasn't officially green-lit the project, company president Steve Asbell has already revealed that the movie will release in 2027. Though those plans could always change, it seems as if a sequel is confirmed, but hasn't been formally announced yet.

One telling sign about the future of the franchise comes within the movie itself, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes clearly tips its hand in revealing that the story is only just the beginning. Though the timeline of the Planet of the Apes franchise is a bit murky, it's safe to assume that there are still hundreds if not thousands of years left between Kingdom and 1968's original movie. This opens the door for not just another trilogy, but even more beyond that.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes premiered on May 10, 2024.

The Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Sequel Cast

Will Mae & Noa Return?

Though it's difficult to say exactly what direction a sequel to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will go in, it's safe to assume that it will pick up close to the end of its predecessor. That means that many of the surviving characters of Kingdom will be back to reprise their roles, especially since new factions were established that set up future conflict. Two crucial returns include Freya Allan as the intelligent human Mae and Owen Teague as the new leader of the Eagle Clan, the chimpanzee named Noa. Kingdom also teased a larger intelligent human colony, which suggests more characters in the future.

The presumptive cast of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sequel includes:

The Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Sequel Story Details

Noa & Mae Look To The Stars

a Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sequel could involve a three-way battle between the smart humans, the Eagle Clan, and Caesar's kingdom.

As has been the case for the entire Planet of the Apes prequel series, the ending of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was anything but conclusive. With Proximus Caesar defeated, the immediate threat to ape and humankind has been temporarily neutralized, but a successor to Proximus' crown will likely rise to challenge the newfound leader of the Eagle Clan, Noa. Elsewhere, the shaky truce between Mae and Noa won't last much longer as Mae's true intentions were laid bare to the audience but not to Noa.

Though she spared Noa's life after they successfully destroyed the human vault, their mutual interest has expired, and they will likely be enemies in the future. The revelation that Mae is just one of many intelligent humans sets up another faction to enter the mix, and a Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sequel could involve a three-way battle between the smart humans, the Eagle Clan, and Caesar's kingdom.