The Legacy of Planet of the Apes
The Planet of the Apes franchise has been a rollercoaster of twists, turns, and existential questions since its inception in 1968. The original film, starring Charlton Heston, shocked audiences with its mind-bending revelation that the “alien” planet was actually Earth in a dystopian future. This film set the stage for a series of sequels that delved into themes of humanity, civilization, and yes, time travel.
“The original 1968 Planet of the Apes culminates with one of the best movie twists of all time as its protagonist, played by Charlton Heston, discovers that he is not on a distant planet, but a ruined Earth hundreds of years in the future.”
The Rebooted Timeline: A Different Approach
Fast forward to 2011, and we have Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the first in a rebooted trilogy that took a more grounded approach to the story. This trilogy, while steering clear of the far-future sci-fi elements of the original films, has been praised for its nuanced storytelling and character development. But what if the upcoming sequel, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is about to make a game-changing move?
“The rebooted Planet of the Apes prequel trilogy, which began in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, is removed from the far-future heightened sci-fi of the original run.”
Time Travel: The Missing Link?
The official plot synopsis for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes hints at a “secret human technology,” sparking theories that time travel could finally be introduced into the rebooted timeline. This would be a monumental shift, potentially uniting the original and rebooted storylines in a way fans have long speculated about.
“The cryptic hint of a ‘secret human technology’ is the most compelling of all. This technology could relate to the simian flu, which wiped out the majority of humanity in the preceding films.”
The Pros and Cons of Time Travel in the Franchise
Incorporating time travel could bring the rebooted series closer to the original’s thematic core. It would also offer a fresh context for exploring the franchise’s enduring questions about civilization and brutality. However, this move is not without its risks. The rebooted series has thrived on its more realistic tone, and a shift towards high-concept sci-fi could alienate some fans.
“Time Travel May Not Work For A Modern Planet Of The Apes Movie. The grounded retelling of Planet of the Apes in the reboot series benefits from maintaining distance from the hard sci-fi of the original movies.”
That’s a wrap! 🦍🤝💪 🎉#kingdomoftheplanetoftheapes pic.twitter.com/ZeKeXNuuod
— Wes Ball (@wesball) February 15, 2023
The Verdict: A Leap of Faith or a Step Too Far?
As Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes gears up for its release, the fan community is buzzing with theories and expectations. Whether or not time travel will be the key to uniting the franchise’s complex timelines remains to be seen. One thing is certain: if executed well, this could be the most audacious and rewarding chapter in the Planet of the Apes saga yet.
“The best hope of fixing the Planet of the Apes timeline comes with disruptive time travel, which would allow the reboot franchise to forge its own continuity while still taking place within the canon set up by the original films.”
So, will Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes take the daring leap into time travel, or will it stick to the grounded storytelling that has made the reboot series so compelling? Only time will tell.
