As 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' conquers the Indian box office, let's revisit the preceding three instalments of the ‘Planet of the Apes reboot’ franchise.
'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' stormed onto screens, flexing its muscles both at home and abroad, seizing the top spot at the box office during its premiere weekend. In India, it smashed records, pocketing a hefty Rs 12.03 crore in its first three days. Directed by Wes Ball and penned by Josh Friedman, this sci-fi action flick serves as a standalone sequel to 2017's 'War for the Planet of the Apes', marking the fourth instalment in the ‘Planet of the Apes reboot’ franchise. Let's take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the three instalments that preceded it.
'Rise of the Planet of the Apes', directed by Rupert Wyatt and scripted by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, breathes new life into the legendary saga ‘Planet of the Apes.’ Serving as both a reboot, the film stars Andy Serkis as Caesar, alongside James Franco, Freida Pinto, and John Lithgow. Through Caesar's evolution from captive to revolutionary leader, it explores themes of genetic advancement and the clash between humanity and its creations. Garnering over $481 million worldwide against a $93 million budget, it not only achieved commercial success but also earned widespread critical acclaim, securing numerous awards and nominations.
'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes', under the direction of Matt Reeves and penned by Mark Bomback, along with the writing team Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, continues the saga with riveting intensity. As the sequel to 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' (2011), it stands as the second chapter in the reboot franchise. The film features Andy Serkis reprising his role as Caesar, sharing the screen with talents like Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, and Keri Russell. Against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic, human survivors struggle for existence while Caesar grapples with maintaining order among his burgeoning ape community, teetering on the brink of an all-out war between species.
'War for the Planet of the Apes', following 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' (2014), emerges as the third instalment in the reboot franchise. Andy Serkis returns as Caesar, joined by Woody Harrelson and Steve Zahn. As the conflict between apes and humans erupts into full-scale war, Caesar embarks on a quest for vengeance, fueled by the loss he's endured. The film earned critical acclaim, lauding Matt Reeves' direction, Serkis' powerful portrayal, stunning visual effects, thematic depth, emotional resonance, Michael Giacchino's evocative score, and Michael Seresin's masterful cinematography. Boasting a commercial success story, it amassed over $490 million at the box office.
