There’s been no official confirmation yet, and the details are still up in the air (which means we’re filing this strictly into Rumour Control) but word arrives that Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes** director Rupert Wyatt has decided to escape from captivity and pass on making sequel Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes.
If it’s true – and Deadline is reporting he’s off because he’s concerned about maintaining quality while having the film ready for May 23, 2014 – then it’s a surprise, as he’s been the only man confirmed for the big chair since Rise became a hit last year. The truth, we suspect, is still out there.
20th Century Fox has been ploughing ahead with development on this one, ensnaring the services of performance capture expert Andy Serkis and hiring Scott Z Burns to work up a first draft, then setting original writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver to produce further versions.
Even if he is off, Wyatt has plenty of keep him occupied – he’s attached to** Agent 13**, which has Charlize Theron looking to star, and had been courted to make Londongrad by Warners, which he iced when he agreed to return to make Rise. More on this as we get it.