New ‘Planet of the Apes’ Movie in the Works With ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Director

May 6, 2026 1:16pm PT New ‘Planet of the Apes’ Movie in the Works With ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Director

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Director Matt Shakman is bouncing from Marvel’s sacred timeline to “The Planet of the Apes,” as the director will shepherd a new film in the sci-fi franchise for 20th Century Studios. 

Shakman helmed last year’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” for Disney’s superhero label, and has now been entrusted with screenwriter Josh Friedman to revisit the successful world of talking primates who rise up against a cruel humanity. 

Friedman wrote the screenplays for both “First Steps” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the latter being the last film in a series mounted by 20th. That title grossed almost $400 million worldwide on a budget of $160 million. Shakman will produce this new entry, plot details of which were not disclosed, alongside Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.

More to come .. 

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