Wes Ball Envisions Future of 'Planet of the Apes' Franchise

Even though the release of “Reign of the Planet of the Apes” is yet to happen, director Wes Ball, known for his work on “Maze Runner”, is already thinking about what steps will be taken within this universe. In an exclusive interview with EW, Ball revealed that he is excited to develop sequels to this highly praised franchise.

About the new film

“Planet of the Apes: Reign” continues the trilogy that began in 2011, but viewers will be transported 300 years beyond “The War” (2017). With a strong cast, including names such as Freya Allan, Owen Teague, William H. Macy, Kevin Durand, Eka Darville and Lydia Peckham, the film seeks to explore new dimensions of the universe previously presented.

Ball reveals that the film seeks to focus on rediscovery in the midst of this post-apocalyptic scenario. The narrative takes place many generations after the events of the last film, in a dark era where apes now lead a society in which technology is no longer as advanced due to a devastating human disease.

The protagonist of the journey is Noa, a chimpanzee, who is close to reaching simian maturity. Noa embarks on an extraordinary adventure in a world completely unknown, both to her and to the spectators, with the chimpanzees Soona and Anaya.

Proximus, the antagonist, brings an interesting twist by rediscovering electricity, which is compared to magic by the apes. Ball highlights the complexity of the character and refuses to treat him as a traditional villain, as he seems more like a fascinating adversary, according to his vision.

The trailer teaser shows Noa riding towards immense buildings covered in vegetation, which shows the contrast between nature and the remains of human civilization, highlighting the technological advancement that once existed. Ball explains the importance of this image, because for Noa those ruins are just mountains in the middle of the landscape.

The future of the franchise

While “Reign of the Planet of the Apes” is set to premiere on May 23, Wes Ball is already planning his next career move, including a possible live-action adaptation of the video game “The Legend of Zelda.” With ambitious visions for the future, the director believes that this film could be the starting point for a new saga of several films, but emphasizes that the fate of the franchise is in the hands of the “cinema gods”.

The epic simian saga is about to expand, promising fans not just a sequel, but the possibility of exploring new horizons in an enriching cinematic universe.

Featured photo: scene from the film “Planet of the Apes: Reproduction” (Reproduction/YouTube/20th Century Studios)