Following the critical disaster that was Tim Burton's 2001 Planet of the Apes remake, the notion of a modern update of the once vastly influential sci-fi franchise seemed about as likely as the dystopian, primate dominated future the films predicted. Rupert Wyatt's 2011 prequel, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, came as somewhat of a surprise - a stylish, often-disturbing update to the Apes series with tonnes of franchise potential. Thankfully, the sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, followed through on that potential - gaining further critical acclaim and performing even better at the box office. Dawn took many of the thematic elements of the original franchise's later, poorer instalments, updating them for a thoroughly modern, gripping and visually spectacular science-fiction film. From this first tailer, next year's War for the Planet of the Apes looks to follow suit, adapting elements of the original franchise's cheap-as-they-come final instalment, Battle of the Planet of the Apes. War, however, looks to be anything but - this third chapter is set to be as epic and explosive as anything the new franchise has offered so far, check out the trailer:
In War for the Planet of the Apes, Andy Serkis reprises his mo-capped roll as Caesar. The apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel, played with unnerving intensity by Woody Harrelson. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
In director Matt Reeves' hands, Dawn for surpassed the previous Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Hopefully Reeves and Co. can pull off another breathtaking sci-fi sequel - judging from this trailer, War is set to dominate on all fronts.
War of the Planet of the Apes hits cinemas July 2017
