Andy Serkis’ Perfect Planet Of The Apes Return Is Now Possible After Kingdom

Recent news triggered speculation about a possible return to the Planet of The Apes franchise from the last installment’s greater absence: Andy Serkis. Almost seven years after the previous film, Kingdom of The Planets of The Apes, the fourth film of this rebooted franchise, is scheduled to be released on May 24th, 2024, and there is plenty of excitement ahead of the date, considering that the trailer looks rather promising. However, one of the biggest absences in this upcoming release is superstar and motion capture specialist Andy Serkis, who played Caesar in the first three installments of the saga.

The upcoming release features Wes Ball for the first time in the entire franchise as the director, which is a promising move for the series’ next installment. He has a strong background in the graphics and visual effects department and made his debut as a director in the Maze Runner trilogy. Recent news has revealed that Ball will direct a new adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, which is already emerging as one of the most anticipated new movies. Sadly, Ball being involved in that production would probably mean he will not be available for a potential fifth Planet of The Apes film. However, this could open new possibilities.

Andy Serkis Should Direct Planet Of The Apes 5 If Wes Ball Can’t

The unlikelihood of Wes Ball returning as director for a potential Planet of The Apes 5 may open the door for Andy Serkis’ return to the franchise, just not as an actor but as a director. Considering that he is someone who has been with the franchise since its reboot in 2011 with Rise of The Planet of The Apes, there is no one with more knowledge of the saga and, more importantly, the process of making and directing the Planet of The Apes films than him, which would be very valuable insight ahead of a new installment.

Despite not being a part of the Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes‘ cast, Serkis has remained close to the franchise as he even gave valuable pieces of advice to the actors in the upcoming installment. It is hard not to think of a comeback from him, and the director’s seat might look like the right way to return to the saga. Serkis has some acting projects ahead and is currently working as a director on an animated Animal Farm adaptation, which also indicates that he might be ready to take the bigger seat in a franchise that is virtually his second home.

Andy Serkis Directing Planet Of The Apes Is Better Than Returning As Caesar

Several aspects factor into why Andy Serkis’ best way of returning to the franchise is as a director, and not as Caesar, one of Serkis’ best motion-capture roles. Considering that the endearing ape’s story reached a definitive end in War for The Planet of The Apes, his return as Caesar would feel forced. Additionally, Caesar’s return might demand the fifth movie to be a sequel or to contain several flashbacks, and one of the most exciting things about Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes is the fact that it shows a more advanced stage of the Apes’ dominion on the Earth, similar to what the original movie’s timeline was. That would serve as an obstacle toward revisiting Caesar’s lifetime.

Theoretically, Serkis could return to Planet of The Apes portraying a different character since motion capture technology might help disguise Serkis’ presence playing another part. However, that is not quite accurate given that part of mo-cap’s success lies in the fact that it faithfully reflects the actors’ expressions and mannerisms. Furthermore, having Serkis back and trying to hide the fact that he is back makes no sense and would be weird. In other words, it all seems to indicate that Serkis’ return to the saga must be in the director’s seat.

Andy Serkis’ Entire Career Has Been Building To Directing Planet Of The Apes

After many years of experience within the film industry, Andy Serkis’s path may have reached the point of directing a major production such as a Planet of The Apes movie. As established previously, there are few filmmakers with more insight into the saga’s narrative and process of production than Serkis. Furthermore, his expertise in motion capture technology goes quite deep, since he was involved with The Lord of the Rings as Gollum. Plus, his experience as a director of films that deal heavily with this particular cinematic technique, such as Mowgli and the upcoming Animal Farm adaptation, demonstrates that he might be ready for the next step and directing a Planet of The Apes movie.