Rupert Wyatt, the director who played a major role in making Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes the worldwide success that it was, may not be returning to direct the sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, despite already committing to do so.
According to Deadline, Wyatt has opted to step down from directing the Apes sequel for reasons that have to do with scheduling. He’s afraid he won’t have time to make the film he wants to by the already cemented May 23, 2014 release date.
If true, this story mirrors the departure of Gary Ross from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Ross was Lionsgate’s man to direct the sequel after his efforts on The Hunger Games helped that film become a pop culture phenomenon. With Lionsgate having to rush into a quick fall shoot to meet the tight schedule of the film’s star Jennifer Lawrence, Ross wasn’t comfortable and bowed out.
Whoever lands the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes directing gig will inherit what could be another summer hit as Caesar and his apes begin to take over the world. Reportedly Fox is all smiles with the script that Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver have turned in.
As for Wyatt, he’s already got projects in the oven that are waiting for him. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the reason Wyatt dropped out of Londongrad with Michael Fassbender. If Fassbender isn’t around to get started on that, he’s also attached to Agent 13 with Charlize Theron.
Look for additional confirmation of Wyatt’s depature, again if true, and Fox’s choice to replace him in the near future.
Source: Deadline
