Back in December, we learned that Wes Ball, heretofore best known as the director behind the Maze Runner trilogy, had been handed the keys to the Planet Of The Apes franchise, which had been successfully brought back to life for the prequel films directed by Rupert Wyatt and Matt Reeves. And, talking to Discussing Film, he outlined how he's moving forward.
"We have a take," he says. "We have a way of staying in the universe that was created before us, but we’re also opening ourselves up in being able to do some really cool new stuff. Again, I’m trying to be careful here. I’ll say this, for fans of the original three don’t worry – you’re in good hands. The original writers and producers that came up with Rise and Dawn, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, they’re also on board with this. Josh Friedman is writing this thing, a lot of the same crew is kind of involved. We will feel like we’re part of that original trilogy, but at the same time we’re able to do some really cool new stuff. It will be really exciting to see on the biggest screen possible."
He acknowledges the challenge of living up to what has come before, and also brings up how the film might potentially start shooting earlier than some thanks to technology. "We have a giant art team cranking away on some incredible concept art. We’ve got the screenplay continuing to move forward, that will take the time that it takes, and so that’s all good. Planet Of The Apes is moving forward, baby! Not only that, but we could actually be in virtual production relatively soon because it’s largely a CG movie." There's no date for the movie yet, for obvious reasons, but at least it sound like real progress. For more from Ball, head to Discussing Film's site.