EXCLUSIVE: After helping relaunch Marvel’s Fantastic Four franchise with Fantastic Four: First Steps, director Matt Shakman and writer Josh Friedman are getting a shot at another high-profile IP. Sources tell Deadline that Shakman is set to direct an untitled Planet of the Apes movie at 20th Century with Friedman penning the script. Shakman will also produce along with longtime Apes producers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.

Plot details are being kept under wraps other than the film will mark a return to the planet where apes are the superior species ruling all. While not confirmed, sources tell Deadline that this will not be a continuation of the most recent pic, 2024’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, but a new original story that Shakman and Friedman are developing. Friedman also penned that script along with Silver and Jaffa.

Planet of the Apes is one of 20th Century Studios’ most popular and enduring franchises, amassing more than $1.7 billion in worldwide box office. Based on a novel by Pierre Boulle, the first film in the series was released by then-20th Century Fox in 1968 and went on to become one of the year’s biggest hits, winning a special Academy Award. It was followed by four theatrical sequels and two TV series. A remake, Planet of the Apes, directed by Tim Burton, was released in 2001, and the 2011 reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes was followed by two sequels, 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was directed by Wes Ball and was well received by critics and audiences; the film brought in $397 million at the global box office.

Shakman has become a fan favorite at Disney earning an Emmy nomination for directing the Marvel Studios series WandaVision. His work on that show ultimately helped him land the Fantastic Four directing job. The film bowed last summer, bringing in $521 million at the global box office.

His recent work includes helming pilots for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, The Consultant and Welcome to Chippendales. Shakman also helmed the pilot episode for The Great starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. Up next he will helm the pilot and finale for Wild Things starring Jude Law and Andrew Garfield. 

Besides Fantastic Four: First Steps, Friedman co-wrote the global blockbusters Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes all for 20^th Century Studios.

Shakman is represented by Untitled Entertainment and CAA. Friedman is represented by UTA.