In 2001, iconic director Tim Burton ventured into the remake of a legendary sci-fi film. Although the film was successful at the box office, it was a disappointment for many fans – including its leading actor Mark Wahlberg.
Which film is it about? In 2001, Planet of the Apes was released, a remake of the legendary classic from 1968. Tim Burton directed this new interpretation, and it performed quite well at the box office. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed approximately 360 million dollars worldwide on a budget of 100 million dollars. That’s a good result.
However, there was never a sequel, which may be due to the fan response, as well as the opinions of the director and the lead actor.
Not only the fans were dissatisfied
How was the film received? On Rotten Tomatoes, Planet of the Apes has a bad reputation. The critic score sits at only 42% based on 201 reviews. The audience rates it even harsher, with the viewer score at just 27% from over 250,000 reviews.
However, critics and viewers are not the only ones who have a negative view of the film. In 2005, lead actor Mark Wahlberg spoke in an interview with popentertainment.com about the film after being asked if he would make it again. He replied:
I would not only not want to direct Planet of the Apes again, I wouldn’t want to watch it again either. I don’t think Tim Burton would direct the film again either. I’ve reached a point in my career where I just want to work with directors who want to work with me.
I want to make films that I want to see and play roles that I want to play. I have finished my apprenticeship and have done a lot for experience and knowledge; now I want to make the films that I want to see.
A rather harsh statement about the fairly successful sci-fi film. But it seems that director Tim Burton did not have a good experience either. On August 17, 2001, not even a month after the theater release, the BBC reported that, according to Burton, there would be no sequel. The director supposedly told a newspaper that he would rather jump out of the window
than make a sequel.
As Filmstarts reported, it was probably not due to the filming or the director, but to the studio. Mark Wahlberg reportedly said in an interview in 2011 (via FandomWire):
The script was not yet developed. They had already set a release date before [Tim Burton] had even shot a foot of film. They kept pushing him in the wrong direction. You just have to let Tim do his thing.
So the successful sci-fi film did not turn into a series, but ten years later, in 2011, the apes returned. With Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a new series began that this time was well received by both fans and critics. The last film in this series, Planet of the Apes: New Kingdom, was released in 2024.
What do you think of Planet of the Apes from 2001? Can you find anything to appreciate about the film, or do you prefer the other two series? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments. You can find more sci-fi films here: Star Wars is pretty cool, but these 10 science fiction films are ones you really need to see
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