May welcomes the theatrical debut of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the 10th installment in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise. Director Wes Ball describes the film as standalone, yet rich with easter eggs for long-time fans. For those seeking a comprehensive franchise experience, all nine previous films are currently available on Hulu.
The Planet of the Apes film franchise encompasses five original classics: Planet of the Apes, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, and Battle for the Planet of the Apes. These films are now streaming on Hulu alongside Tim Burton’s 2001 remake, The Planet of the Apes. The most recent trilogy, featuring Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War for the Planet of the Apes, is also available.
Are All of the Planet of the Apes Movies Canon?
The original five “Planet of the Apes” films may exist in a separate universe from the recent trilogy and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” according to producer Ball. He explained that the franchise’s canon has historically been fluid.
“I consider the previous films canon, but even in the most recent trilogy, time-traveling astronauts were never a significant plot point. Matt Reeves likely didn’t incorporate them into his movies.
In our current world, we’re not exploring time travel or sending apes back in time. However, we strive to maintain connections between the films, even if we abandon some ideas that no longer align.
Fans of ‘Beneath’ may recognize elements in our film that remind them of that movie. We’ve blended elements from all the previous films, hoping to create a sense of continuity. Canon has always been somewhat flexible in these films.”
Directed by Wes Ball, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes features a star-studded cast that includes Owen Teague (IT), Freya Allan (The Witcher), Kevin Durand (Locke & Key), Peter Macon (Shameless), and William H. Macy (Fargo). Mark your calendars for its cinematic release on May 10th.