Matt Shakman Takes New Apes Film

Planet of the Apes has found its next filmmaker, with reports indicating that Matt Shakman will direct a new entry in the long-running sci-fi franchise.

The move links one major studio property to another. Shakman, who is also directing Fantastic Four: First Steps, now steps into one of Hollywood’s most durable series as studios keep leaning on recognizable worlds with room to grow. The early signal also points to a familiar creative partnership: reports suggest First Steps co-writer Josh Friedman will write the new Apes screenplay.

The new Planet of the Apes film appears to pair a franchise-tested director with a writer already tied to the modern science-fiction playbook.

That combination matters because Planet of the Apes demands more than spectacle. The series works when it balances scale with theme, using blockbuster storytelling to examine power, conflict and identity. Shakman brings rising franchise credibility, while Friedman arrives with experience shaping big-concept material, giving the project a foundation that looks deliberate rather than rushed.

Many details still remain unclear. The summary does not indicate where this film will sit within the current Apes timeline, whether it will connect directly to recent installments, or when production could begin. For now, the clearest takeaway is that the studio has identified the team it wants steering the next chapter.

What comes next will determine how ambitious this new film really is. If the project moves quickly, attention will shift to story direction, franchise continuity and how this creative team plans to define the next era of Planet of the Apes. That matters because every new installment in a legacy series now carries a larger test: not just whether it can extend a brand, but whether it can justify its place in a crowded franchise landscape.