Planet of the Apes: Evolution of Hollywood’s Iconic Franchise

by Haley May 15, 2024

– French author Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel “Planet of the Apes” inspired a science fiction franchise where apes dominate humans, sparking both fascination and fear over the concept of a reversed societal hierarchy.
– The original 1968 film adaptation diverged from Boulle’s story but became iconic for its cultural commentary and surprise ending; the franchise since has expanded with numerous films, TV series, and other media, continuing its success with the recent film “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

Planet of the Apes: Evolution of Hollywood’s Iconic Franchise

The realm of speculative fiction gained a new cornerstone in 1963 with the release of Pierre Boulle’s science fiction novel, “Planet of the Apes.” Boulle was already notable for “The Bridge over the River Kwai,” yet this novel allowed readers to entertain the possibility of an Earth dominated not by humans, but by intellectually and culturally advanced apes. It’s a concept that taps into deep human fears and fascinations—the dethroning of humanity from its perceived natural pedestal by beings eerily similar to ourselves.

This eerie reversal of human-animal roles captured the interest and imagination of audiences when it was adapted into a motion picture directed by Franklin J. Schaffner in 1968. The film, retitled “Planet of the Apes” (1968), stood out not only for its groundbreaking makeup and special effects but also for its unnerving twist ending, scripted by Rod Serling. This launched a franchise that, over five decades and across various media, has remained a heavyweight in popular culture.

The “Planet of the Apes” series has undergone a series of evolutions since its inception. From adaptations that took creative liberties to reboots that re-envisioned the core themes and lore for new audiences, each iteration brought a fresh perspective. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” from director Wes Ball, is the latest film to join the legacy, continuing the narrative set forth by 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the start of a reboot trilogy that reimagined the origins of the sentient apes.

Within the progression of these films, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) reset expectations by offering a profound, personal narrative of Caesar, a chimpanzee whose enhanced intelligence leads to an uprising. This film, coupled with its sequels, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014) and “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017), explore complex themes of kinship, leadership, and survival with nuanced sensibilities and state-of-the-art motion-capture performances, particularly from Andy Serkis as Caesar.

Looking back, the 2001 Tim Burton-led remake remains a divisive point, with some laudable aspects such as Rick Baker’s makeup effects, but ultimately it falls short when measured against the emotional journey and thematic depth of other entries. Similarly, as the franchise moved from the original “Planet of the Apes” (1968) to its subsequent sequels, like “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970) and “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” (1971), the films maintained their allure—walking the line between pulp science fiction and astute social commentary.

Predictably, amid the array of movies, television shows, novels, comics, and games, not every endeavor has reached the pinnacles of its predecessors: Some have dealt with limited budgets or hasty productions that inevitably affected the quality. Still, even in the original five films, the series managed to keep audiences engaged by expanding on the lore and characters—even as the masks sagged and the edges of illusion frayed.

The “Planet of the Apes” legacy is more than a series of adventures on a fantastical version of Earth—it’s a multi-layered reflection on humanity’s place in the universe, the follies of civilization, and the potential for other forms of intelligence. It holds a mirror to the destructive tendencies of our species, while also conjuring a mesmerizing world where the roles of oppressor and oppressed are flipped, and the questions it raises about identity, society, and destiny remain timeless narratives that continue to be as captivating today as they were over half a century ago.