War For The Planet Of The Apes has a lot to live up to. Previous instalments Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes and Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes were both excellent reimaginings of the original story, heading in a different direction and having a great time doing it, all the while assisted by some truly jaw-dropping special effects.
In the third film, it looks like the stakes are being raised even higher. With the ending of Dawn hinting at a bleak future for ape-human relations, the recently released synopsis for War appears to confirm that this will be the bleakest instalment yet.
In War For The Planet Of The Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins this 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.
With serial scenery-chomper Woody Harrelson on board as the aforementioned Colonel, he should prove a more than ample replacement for Gary Oldman in the previous film. With Andy Serkis also back as Caesar, the stage is set for something remarkable. We can hardly wait.
Joining Serkis and Harrelson are fellow cast members Judy Greer, Steve Zahn, Gabriek Chavarria and Sara Canning, with Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) directing and co-writing alongside Mark Bomback.
War For The Planet Of The Apes will be released in cinemas on 14 July 2017. For all the latest movie news, pick up the latest issue of SciFiNow.
