It goes without saying that movies allow audiences to enter unimaginable worlds, universes they couldn't see in the real world. Yet, sometimes, movies don't always give enough room for these worlds to grow, something a tv-series can accomplish better than any film.
As it stands, the universe of Planet Of The Apes is a world that could benefit from a tv series, effectively expanding upon the lore. However, there's always the possibility that a series could be the wrong call. Here are five reasons why Planet of the Apes should get a tv-series and five why it's a terrible idea.
Should: Prequels, Sequels, and Anthology
Let it be said that when it comes to making a series, there are more opportunities than just making a simple episodic drama series. A series can come in the form of a follow-up, a prelude, or even in anthology style.
A POTA series doesn't just have to limit itself to following the same story or plot points. It could go above and beyond what's already been set in stone, either through a prequel series, a follow up after the original's events or anthology, with a new story each season.
Shouldn't: Already Done
A problem that Hollywood has usually come from the oversaturation of sequels and prequel related films. As it stands, POTA a few years ago wrapped up crowd-pleasing fashion.
With that in mind, doing a prequel or a sequel based on the material, may not be the smartest idea. Seeing as POTA had four sequels, followed by a reboot and a prequel trilogy, one would hope that Hollywood would call it quits in an effort to preserve the existing material.
Should: New Film
Now, whether or not a series does come about and whether it oversaturates or ruins the existing material, it has been confirmed by Disney that a new POTA film is coming and while this would normally sound alarms, it may actually be a way for a tv series to work.
If the movie does the ranks of prequels and works by some miracle, a show could end up being the perfect companion piece for the film, exploring the growing landscape that the film explores, assuming that it succeeds.
Shouldn't: 1974 Series
"If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again." This is without a doubt Hollywood's lasting motto, that if a series or show doesn't end up working, they simply wait a year or two and give it another whirl, which could be the case for a POTA show.
In 1974, there was a poorly conceived and received series based on the original film, followed by an even less well-received animated show. As it stands, Hollywood should take a look at their past mistakes and ponder on them before moving forward.
Should: New Stories
Given the vastness and yet still largely unknown parts of Planet Of The Apes, the possibilities for new ideas and storylines are endless and as such, each season of a series centered around a new idea is indeed something to look forward to.
Whether they take place in a prequel centered universe or sequel related world, a POTA show could do wonders with new ideas and storylines, showcasing new characters and timelines to explore and help the already rich and vibrant lore grow and thrive.
Shouldn't: Overshadowing
What made Planet Of The Apes such an iconic and worthwhile film was how unique and incredible the story was. It was a kind of post-apocalyptic world no one had seen before, brought to life with amazing makeup and an ending that shocked many.
While the prequels did manage to avoid overshadowing the already existing films, there's the high possibility that a tv series could unintentionally try to outshine the original film instead of trying to be it's own thing, which could result in a messy and predictable plot.
Should: Human And Ape Conflict
Something that made the POTA series interesting was how it handled the humans and the apes. Each series, from the original to the prequels, had a different look into the conflict between humans and apes. From making the humans animalistic to making each species similar, the list went on and on.
A series could very easily expand upon the conflict, giving audiences new light and character interactions. An in-depth look at both sides over numerous seasons would do wonders for this wonderfully strange, science fiction world.
Shouldn't: Character Problems
While exploring the human and Ape conflict would be interesting and make for a worthwhile show, that's not to say there wouldn't be problems or complications. The biggest of these problems stem from the largest problem in cinema history: Cliches
Cliches are the bane of the existence of a film, cropping up in stories and characters. Done right, new characters could thrive, with the humans and apes being different and interesting. Done incorrectly, each species could have the same characteristics, qualities, and blend together.
Should: Expanded Universe
Cinematic and expanded universes are something tv and film have been trying to make work for years. There has been much success with this, such as with the Arrowverse, and with the right guidance, a POTA expanded universe could make its mark in the tv market.
Not just by exploring the world's established, too. If the first series works out, then another could follow, exploring new themes and even worlds, followed by many more until a Planet Of The Apes universe is finally established for all to see and enjoy.
Shouldn't: Bloated World
Like all things, expanded universes can have issues. Even something like the Arrowverse suffers from problems, ranging from story issues to simply having too much material and either not knowing what to do with it or using it incorrectly.
A Planet Of The Apes tv-series and expanded universe, although an amazing thought, could result in disastrous consequences. Too large of a universe and everything would start to feel bloated or overused and could bring an end to a perfect idea all too soon.
