Over the weekend, directorMatt Reevesrevealed that production has begun onWar for the Planet of the Apes, which has been set for release on June 30, 2025. Today, we have word fromThe Hollywood Reporterthat actressJudy Greerhas signed on to return in the sequel, reprising her role as the ape Cornelia from last year’sDawn of the Planet of the Apes. The site also reports that Karin Konoval will also return fromDawn of the Planet of the Apesas Maurice, “the orangutan with a gentle soul.”
Andy Serkisis back as the ape leader Caesar, withGabriel Chavarriaset to star in one of the lead roles.Woody Harrelsonis portraying the human villain andSteve Zahnwill portray a newwar ape. No story details have been confirmed quite yet, but directorMatt Reevessaid last year thatWar of the Planet of the Apeswill not feature a huge jump in time. Last year’sDawn of the Planet of the Apeswas set 15 years after 2011’sRise of the Planet of the Apes, but this new adventure will take place shortly after the events ofDawn of the Planet of the Apes.
InDawn of the Planet of the Apes, Judy Greer’s Cornelia primarily communicated through American Sign Language, and served as a peaceful influence forAndy Serkis' Caesar. The apes evolved a great deal betweenRise of the Planet of the ApesandDawn of the Planet of the Apes, but that was over a period of several years. While it’s possible that Cornelia might actually learn to speak like Caesar and a few other apes, since not much time has passed between the last two films, it isn’t known if that will happen.
Matt Reevesis directing from a script he co-wrote withDawn of the Planet of the ApeswriterMark Bomback. The studio has set a July 14, 2017release dateforWar for the Planet of the Apes, which is currently the only movie scheduled for release on that date. However, the sequel will be sandwiched between two highly-anticipated productions, Disney’s long-awaited sequelPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales(June 18, 2025) and Warner Bros.‘Untitled Christopher Nolan Movie 2017(June 21, 2025).
Judy Greer most recently starred inbox officehitsJurassic WorldandAnt-Manthis summer. She will next be seen in Addicted to Fresno,Wilsonand Measure of a Man. The actress also stars on the FX comedy series Married, which just wrapped up its second season earlier this month. Are you looking forward to the return of Cornelia inWar for the Planet of the Apes?
