A new Planet of the Apes film will be directed by Matt Shakman, known for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

      The planet will continue to be dominated by apes as 20th Century Studios has enlisted director Matt Shakman, known for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to lead a new Planet of the Apes film. Shakman is collaborating with his Fantastic Four writer Josh Friedman on what is reported to be an original story that will not continue the narrative of 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The most recent film served as a distant sequel to the rebooted origin trilogy that depicted Caesar and the apes' ascent to becoming the dominant species on Earth. Kingdom, which Friedman also penned, took place centuries after War for the Planet of the Apes, introducing a new group of apes as they met humans for the first time and showcased a more militant ape society.

      Shakman and Friedman are working with Apes producers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, who co-wrote the story with Friedman. There is currently no information regarding a potential release date or a definitive confirmation that the new film will not follow Kingdom's storyline, so further updates will be awaited.

      Shakman directed Marvel’s initial Disney+ series WandaVision, which remains highly regarded as one of the MCU’s finest works. He made his return to the MCU last year with the reboot of Marvel's first family in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the Fantastic Four will make another appearance later this year in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. In addition to his Marvel project, Friedman also contributed to James Cameron’s Avatar sequels, The Way of Water and Fire and Ash.