The original Planet of the Apes film is famous for its shocking twist ending, and that twist could play a role in the new series as it develops. Released in 1968, the movie was based on Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel La Planète des singes and tells the story of three astronauts who crash-land on a planet where apes have evolved into intelligent, speaking creatures.
The original Planet of the Apes was so popular that it led to four sequels, though none of them matched its success. The series was then reimagined with a new film in 2001, followed by a 2011 movie that acted as both a reboot and a prequel, showing how the apes first became intelligent and powerful. The franchise continues today, and upcoming Planet of the Apes films may revisit the iconic twist ending of the 1968 original and tell that story again.
Planet of the Apes Ended With Cinema’s Biggest Twist
The spaceship Icarus, also known as Liberty 1, crashes on a strange planet two thousand years after leaving Earth in 1972. Its three astronauts – Commander George Taylor, Landon, and Dodge – discover a world ruled by intelligent, talking apes, and inhabited by humans who have been reduced to a primitive, speechless state. Taylor is captured and examined by the apes, but two sympathetic apes, Cornelius and Zira, eventually help him escape.
Cornelius and Zira guide Taylor into the Forbidden Zone, and there they discover proof of a highly developed human civilization from the past. They find items like dentures, glasses, and a heart valve, along with a doll that can speak. But the biggest shock comes when Taylor stumbles upon the remains of the Statue of Liberty. This incredible discovery reveals that they aren’t on an alien planet at all – they’re on Earth, a desolate wasteland created by a long-ago nuclear war, which fills Taylor with rage.
Planet of the Apes is widely considered a science-fiction masterpiece, largely thanks to its shocking ending. The scene of George Taylor denouncing humanity while standing by the Statue of Liberty is a truly iconic moment in film—one the series has been hesitant to revisit. Previous attempts were made, but a more compelling opportunity exists now, given the richer history that’s been established.
The Planet of the Apes Franchise May Soon Reinvent the Original’s Iconic Twist
A decade after Tim Burton reimagined the series in 2001, Rupert Wyatt’s film offered a fresh take. It went back to the beginning, exploring how apes first developed intelligence. A drug designed to treat Alzheimer’s allowed Caesar (played by Andy Serkis) to lead an ape uprising against humans in San Francisco. Subsequent films by Matt Reeves and Wes Ball have continued this success, expertly building upon this world where apes rule the Earth.
The Planet of the Apes series has built a compelling story over several films. 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes showed how a deadly virus drastically reduced the human population, and 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes depicted the climactic battle between Caesar and the character known as “The Colonel.” Now, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, set many years later, presents a world where apes have risen to become the dominant species. These films have successfully updated the surprising twist from the original 1968 movie for today’s audiences.
Recent reports indicate the spaceship Icarus launched with a crew of three but was then lost in space. This development opens the possibility of a remake of the original Planet of the Apes movie. A new version could benefit from updated visual effects, a stronger storyline, more complex characters, and a more detailed history. A new actor could take on the role of George Taylor, and the famous scene with the Statue of Liberty could be reimagined.
A new installment has been officially announced. At least one more movie in the rebooted Planet of the Apes series is planned, with a current release date of May 14, 2027. The original film’s iconic twist remains one of the most shocking and impactful moments in cinema, and future movies could explore similar surprises for years to come.
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2026-04-05 13:06