The Planet of the Apes series, one of the most prominent science fiction franchises, has captivated audiences for decades, starting with the groundbreaking original films and followed by the critically acclaimed 2010s reboot trilogy. This newer trilogy brought a fresh look at the world before its takeover by intelligent apes, delving into some of the darker and often overlooked aspects of the original movies’ premise.
A striking element introduced in the reboot, starting with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, is the Simian Flu, providing a logical yet dire explanation for humanity’s downfall and the rise of ape intelligence. This concept, echoing the darkness of the original series’ narrative foundations, has gained topical relevance in recent years, drawing parallels with real-world pandemics.
The legacy of these films is set to continue with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, promising to further explore the conflict between humans and apes, possibly bridging the narratives of the new and classic films. The Simian Flu, originating from an experimental Alzheimer’s cure known as ALZ-112 developed by scientist Will Rodman, marks the beginning of humanity’s end. Accidental exposure leads to unforeseen intelligence in apes and a deadly pandemic among humans, delineated as the ALZ-113 variant, showing the dual-edged sword of scientific experimentation.
This narrative thread weaves through the chaos of societal collapse caused by the Simian Flu, drawing eerie similarities to the COVID-19 pandemic and showcasing humanity’s desperate fight against both the virus and the rising ape intelligence. The succeeding films, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, further depict the escalation of conflict between humans and apes, culminating in a mutated virus that diminishes human cognitive functions while enhancing those of apes.
Parallelly, the reboot also pays homage to the original series’ portrayal of apocalyptic scenarios, such as the virus that decimates Earth’s pet populations in Escape from the Planet of the Apes, inadvertently leading to apes becoming the dominant species. These narratives full circle with the mention of the Icarus mission, a nod to the original Planet of the Apes astronaut crew, hinting at a unified, cyclical timeline within the franchise’s lore.
As Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes looms on the horizon, it raises the question of whether the disparate timelines of the Planet of the Apes saga will converge, further blurring the lines between past, present, and future narratives. With humans now hunted and society in ruins, the stage is set for possibly revisiting the iconic arrival of George Taylor and the crash of the Icarus, potentially bridging the gap between the reboot and the classic films.
The Planet of the Apes franchise, originating from Pierre Boulle’s novel and spanning over five decades, continues to evolve, reflecting on humanity’s inherent fears and scientific ethics, while also exploring the complex relationships between humans and their potential successors on Earth.
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