KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES HOME VIDEO RELEASE DATES

When I saw 20th Century Studios' Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on the big screen back in May, found this science fiction flick to be visually stunning highlighting the extraordinary evolution of CGI compared to physical props of original 1968 Planet of the Apes movie that kicked off the franchise. So, I was geeked when the studio provided me with the 4K digital edition of the movie to promote the film's home entertainment video release. What a wonderful day that Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was released today (July 9, 2024) in digital format on major online platforms including Movies Anywhere, Apple TV, Fandango at Home [formerly Vudu] and Prime Video to add to your home entertainment video library. Fans of physical media will also delight in knowing that it will be available in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD with a home video release date for those formats of August 27.

Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise with this action- adventure spectacle. Set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species — and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America [MPAA] and has a runtime of 145 minutes (2 hours and 25 minutes).

Bonus content included with the home video release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes includes the following:

• Inside the Forbidden Zone: Making Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Join director Wes Ball, cast and crew as they expand the Planet of the Apes legacy for a new generation. Travel to the outdoor production in Australia, train at Ape School, and discover the practical and motion capture techniques in building a breathtaking Kingdom. 
• 14 Deleted/Extended Scenes with optional audio commentary by director Wes Ball *Bonus features may vary by product and retailer

Additionally, the 4K home video formats include “Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut,” a full-length alternative cut with a split-screen comparison between the final cut of the film and a version with unfinished VFX with optional audio commentary by director Wes Ball, editor Dan Zimmerman and VFX supervisor Erik Winquist. The never- before-seen alternate cut gives fans a unique opportunity to see the actors’ performances before the visual effects were completed.

A collectible limited edition SteelBook® with custom artwork by artist Dylan Cole will be available in the 4K Ultra HD disc format. For those people who haven't seen the previous films in the franchise there will be a special Planet of the Apes 10 film bundle available for $100 on Digital at select retailers. 

Certified FRESH by Rotten Tomatoes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes swinging into homes will make for some entertaining family movie nights. The film has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for its cutting edge special effects that transport you into a realm of Hollywood magic providing a fun sci-fi adventure romp through the Planet of the Apes.

DETROIT FILM THEATER SCIFI SUMMER

The Detroit Institute of Arts film theater (DFT) is hosting a series of family friendly science fiction matinee movies throughout the summer of 2018 that are FREE to attend with paid admission to the art museum. Movies being shown include THE TIME MACHINE (1960), FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956), PLANET OF THE APES (1968) 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) & BLACK PANTHER (2018).  Each feature film will also be preceded by a chapter from the original FLASH GORDON serials of the 1930s.

The matinees will play daily at 3pm with rotating titles throughout the summer that explore the themes of Adventures and Quests, Space Travel, Alien Encounters, Other Dimensions, Creatures, and Robots.  Visit dia.org/dft for a full calendar of movies being shown and more information about the Detroit Film Theater's Sci Fi Summer event.

The DFT has posted a few disclaimers to their showing of these movies. First, that films of earlier eras reflect the values of the day including their portrayal of gender roles and lack of racial diversity. Showing them does not imply an endorsement of the portrayed social norms. Secondly, the theater does not condone war between planets, irresponsible time travel, or the destruction of Los Angeles by giant insects.

Remember, local Detroit area residents that those of you who live in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties get FREE admission to the DIA which means the only cost to view these movies for you is the price of parking (unless you live in Midtown than you can just walk or take the QLine to get there). So if you don't have anything going on during a summer afternoon escape the heat by watching a classic Sci Fi movie at the DFT.

STAR TREK goes to the APES

With the recent box office successes of the movies RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES and DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, the Planet of the Apes franchise is a hot commodity again.  Based upon that renewed popularity, BOOM! STUDIOS the publisher of Planet of the Apes comic books is hoping to have the apes explode off the printed page by creating an epic crossover miniseries with another classic SciFi brand STAR TREK.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to "mind-meld" with a sentient ape...I have to say I haven't but I am sure there are some folk out there who have...or wanted to see a Klingon on horseback brandishing a rifle?  Boom! Studios threw out those scenarios when it announced at Comic Con that its partnering with IDW Publishers, who holds the comic book license for Star Trek, to present an alternate future where Star Trek and Planet of the Apes crossover.


IDW will publish the mini-series which will pair the original U.S.S. Enterprise crew with Taylor, Nova, and the cast of the original Planet of the Apes film.  This will mark the first time Boom! Studios has partnered with another publisher for a comic book series.  Together they will bring Star Trek, licensed by CBS Consumer Products, and 20th Century Fox's Planet of the Apes together in a product the publishers exclaim will delight existing fans of these two franchises and create new fans for each of these two brands.

In a press release IDW President & Chief Operating Officer, Greg Goldstein and Boom! Studios Founder and CEO Ross Richie comments on this upcoming min-series which they called the "crossover event of the year."

"Planet of the Apes and Star Trek are groundbreaking science-fiction properties and both deal with many of the same social issues and themes,”  Greg Goldstein noted.  “A crossover between the two is a natural and long overdue.”

“Before I could read comic books as a child, I could watch science fiction on my television. My dad used to wake me up way past my bedtime to watch Star Trek in syndication—it came on after the nightly news—and I took a Planet of the Apes lunchbox with me to kindergarten every day,” said Ross Richie. “Suffice to say, teaming up these two titans of science fiction on the page in a way that they probably will never meet each other on the silver screen is a huge moment for me personally and emotionally.”

The creative team on this project will be a mix of veteran comic authors Scott and David Tipton scripting the series and the interior and cover art being created by British newcomer Rachael Stott.  The Tipton's recently worked on another high profile Star Trek cross-over with the recent Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who mini-series that IDW published.

“With the Klingons secretly backing a renegade gorilla general in a coup for control of Ape City, Captain Kirk finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to help out Dr. Zaius’ orangutans,” explains David Tipton. “Taylor won’t be happy with that!”

“What an epic pairing! I’m so excited to see Taylor, Kirk…and those damned dirty apes…in our upcoming comic,” says IDW editor Sarah Gaydos, “We’re eager to team up these exciting creative forces to bring this to life.”