The next installment in the venerable science fiction series is the subject of increasing conjecture in the wake of the triumph of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Industry insiders indicate that a fifth chapter, which would strive to further expand the Apes universe, is already in development, though 20th Century Studios has not confirmed anything.

With Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes introducing a new protagonist, Noa (played by Owen Teague), and a post-Caesar world filled with warring factions of intelligent apes, the next film is rumored to continue exploring the evolution of both apes and the remnants of humanity. Some sources claim that the next installment will delve deeper into the surviving human populations, potentially introducing a faction capable of challenging the apes’ dominance.

There is also speculation that Kevin Durand’s villainous ape Proximus Caesar may not be the last warlord to rise, with other factions beginning to form their own rival civilizations. Some fan theories even suggest a direct connection to the original Planet of the Apes timeline, possibly setting up the events that lead to the fall of humanity as depicted in the 1968 classic.