Will Time Travel Be Introduced in the Modern Planet of the Apes Films?

The Planet of the Apes franchise has long captivated audiences with its blend of thrilling narratives and thought-provoking themes, much of which centers around time travel. However, it appears that the recent reboot series is steering clear of this complex plot device. Despite its eccentricities compared to other blockbuster franchises like Transformers and The Avengers, Planet of the Apes remains a beloved series that has evolved continuously for over fifty years. Each iteration reflects the prevailing cultural sentiments, from the whimsical spirit of the 1970s New Hollywood era to the darker, more serious tones of the 2010s and 2020s adaptations.

The latest installment, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, successfully marries the grittiness of the recent films with the narrative foundations established by the original series. Producers are seemingly steering back towards the classic storytelling methods that first made the series iconic. While it advances the narrative established in the reboot trilogy, it showcases a future ravaged by conflict among ape factions, suggesting further sequels without necessarily revisiting time travel as a plot element.

Exploring Time Travel in the Planet of the Apes Franchise

Past Incursions of Time Travel in the Series

Ending scene of Planet of the Apes with the Statue of Liberty

The concept of time travel is pivotal to the plot twist in the original Planet of the Apes film. Charlton Heston’s astronaut character, George Taylor, presumes he has journeyed lightyears from Earth only to discover, in a shocking conclusion, that he is actually on a devastated Earth in the year 3978, long after a cataclysmic nuclear event. This groundbreaking revelation highlights the franchise’s early flirtation with time travel.

Subsequent films also delved into time travel. For instance, Beneath the Planet of the Apes introduced Brent, another astronaut who unknowingly follows Taylor into the future. The narrative further expanded with Escape from the Planet of the Apes, where key characters Zira and Cornelius travel back to contemporary America.

A new film in the series, tentatively scheduled for 2027, is currently in development.

Tim Burton’s 2001 remake also featured a time travel element, wherein Mark Wahlberg’s character, Leo, paradoxically returns to the past but arrives on an alternate Earth ruled by apes, showcasing yet another interpretation of time travel within the franchise.

Reimagining the Franchise: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

A Fresh Start for the Series

The 2011 film Rise of the Planet of the Apes took a markedly grounded approach, aligning with contemporaneous filmmaking trends that leaned towards grittier narratives. This was catalyzed by the success of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, spawning similar reinventions across various franchises, including James Bond and Superman.

Rather than serving as a prequel to the original films, this reboot redefined the origin of the ape-dominated world, depicting a future where intelligent apes arise from a scientific breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research. The narrative culminates in the apes overthrowing humanity, thus altering the established lore centered around time travel and paradoxes in previous installments.

Teasing Future Connections in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Hints at Time Travel in the Final Scenes

In its climax, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes presents subtle indications that time-traveling astronauts may re-enter the narrative. The plot focuses on how surviving humans leverage technology from a satellite base to contact others, potentially igniting resistance against ape rule.

The film concludes with a contemplative moment where Noa gazes upward through a telescope, pondering the mysteries of the cosmos. While this scene doesn’t directly mandate a future narrative that revisits the originals, it does imply a potential return to themes of astronauts and time travel.

Future Installments: Merging Time Travel with a Realistic Approach

The Science Behind Planet of the Apes’ Time Travel

Mae at human colony in the ending of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Unlike the fantastical time travel seen in films like Avengers: Endgame or Back to the Future, which defy current scientific understanding, the time travel depicted in Planet of the Apes is grounded in real science, specifically Einstein’s theory of relativity, involving concepts such as time dilation. This foundation allows for future films to explore time travel in a manner consistent with the series’ more realistic tone.

Anticipating the Direction of Upcoming Planet of the Apes Films

Future Directions: A Focus Beyond Time Travel

While the current setup may suggest the potential for time travel, it appears improbable that upcoming installments of the Planet of the Apes franchise will heavily incorporate time travel elements. The evolving tone of the series suggests a preference for narrative arcs that remain consistent with its established grounded nature, thereby minimizing the likelihood of a character traveling through time to create paradoxical scenarios.

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