“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” Ends Without Teasing Sequels

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” marks the fourth chapter in a series of reimagined films inspired by the iconic “Planet of the Apes” franchise. Unlike its predecessors, “Kingdom” concludes without a post-credits scene, a common device in modern franchises to hint at future installments. This absence, however, does not necessarily signify the end of the saga, leaving room for potential sequels or spin-offs.

The “Planet of the Apes” reboot series commenced in 2011 with “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” followed by “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” in 2014 and “War for the Planet of the Apes” in 2017. The narrative centers on Caesar, a chimpanzee portrayed through groundbreaking motion-capture performance by Andy Serkis. Caesar undergoes rapid evolution after accidental exposure to an experimental substance, leading to his eventual leadership of the ape community.

“War for the Planet of the Apes” marked the culmination of Caesar’s journey, and after a seven-year hiatus, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” revives the franchise under the direction of Wes Ball. The film introduces a new setting and characters, including Noa, a young chimpanzee, and Raka, an orangutan, who join forces with a human named Mae to resist Proximus Caesar, a tyrannical bonobo. Their struggle centers around a vault believed to contain advanced human weaponry, which Proximus aims to control to secure his dominance.

Despite the lack of a traditional end credits scene, “Kingdom” ends on a tantalizing note, suggesting a potential return to the original 1968 “Planet of the Apes” storyline. This connection is hinted at through scenes set in a dilapidated space observatory, where both human and ape characters observe the cosmos with a mix of awe and apprehension. These moments evoke the mysteries of the lost spaceship Icarus mentioned in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” offering a bridge between the modern reboot series and the classic films.

Financially, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is poised for success, with industry projections anticipating a strong opening weekend. Deadline forecasts a domestic box office of $50 million and an international take of $80 million, indicating a worldwide total of $130 million. Such returns would likely justify further entries in the franchise, particularly given the positive critical reception of “Kingdom,” which currently holds an 83% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 139 reviews.

Ultimately, the fate of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise rests on audience reception. If “Kingdom” proves to be as engaging to viewers as it has been to critics, the future may hold many more adventures in this reimagined world of apes and humans.