The highly anticipated film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is gearing up for a successful box office opening, despite not reaching franchise-best levels. This latest installment in the Apes saga takes a bold new direction, set 300 years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes.
The story follows the ape protagonist, Noa, portrayed by Owen Teague, as he aids a human girl named Mae, played by Freya Allan. Together, they face off against the tyrannical Proximus Caesar, portrayed by Kevin Durand, who has twisted the teachings of the original Caesar for his own gain.
Deadline reports that Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is projected to achieve an opening weekend box office gross of $54 million-$61 million. While this falls slightly below the openings of some previous films in the franchise, it still positions the movie as a potential box office hit.
Looking back at the performance of past films in the series, we see that the 2001 Planet of the Apes remake opened with $68.5 million and went on to earn $362.2 million worldwide. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) also had strong showings at the box office, with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) leading the pack with a final worldwide gross of $710.6 million.
Despite not breaking records with its opening, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes builds upon the success of the previous trilogy, which garnered critical acclaim and solid box office numbers. The film promises to delve deeper into Caesar's legacy and boasts stunning cinematography that sets a new standard for the franchise.
With its release date set for May 10, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is poised to kick off the summer blockbuster season with a captivating story and visual spectacle. The film faces minimal competition upon its release, making it a must-see event for fans of the franchise and movie enthusiasts alike.
As the next chapter in the Apes saga unfolds, audiences can expect a thrilling narrative that explores the complexities of a post-apocalyptic world where humans and apes must navigate the blurred lines between enslavement and freedom. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes promises to deliver an engaging cinematic experience that builds upon the rich storytelling of its predecessors.
