Dawn of the Planet of the Apes director confirmed to direct next sequel

Fox must be real happy with the work Matt Reeves did on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The filmmaker, who directed 20th Century Fox’s upcoming sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, will return to helm the third installment for the rebooted franchise, according to Variety. The third Planet of the Apes is currently untitled and writers for the movie have not been officially attached at this point.

According to the report, the Planet of the Apes franchise is a major priority for the studio after 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes blew away the box office, grossing $482 million while also receiving very favorable reviews. That film was directed by Rupert Wyatt, co-founder of production collective Picture Farm.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes replaces James Franco’s character with Zero Dark Thirty’s Jason Clarke, and hits theaters on July 11th. Andy Serkis, Keri Russell, Gary Oldman, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Enrique Murciano also star in the film. Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital returns for digital effects and animation duties on the project.