The Apes Will Keep Rising - Fox Moving Forward on Sequel

Rise of the Apes was a good prequel to a DOA franchise, well-reviewed by critics, dug by the general public and, generally speaking, a good standalone movie without getting into the chronology of the original Planet of the Apes films. How many others can make that claim?

Having just now ceased rolling in all those Benjamins from its theatrical gross (and you know the DVD/Blu-Ray sales will be bananas), 20^th Century Fox is ramping up for that sequel we all knew was coming, reports "TOLDJA."

Helmer Rupert Wyatt and screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver are return thanks to contractual obligation although we're in the early days of the sequel's development.

Surprisingly not bound by sequel options is star Andy Serkis who just locked down a deal to return as Caesar, said to be in the seven figure range. Meanwhile humans James Franco and Freida Pinto's fates remain to be determined. Since the prequel's success was on Serkis (who deserves every penny he's getting from this new contract, but one shouldn't hold their breath on an Oscar nod) and not theirs. Don't be surprised if neither return.