Synopsis

After a space experiment goes wrong, astronaut Leo Davidson is hurled through a time portal and stranded on a world where intelligent apes rule and humans are treated as inferior. With the help of Ari, a sympathetic chimpanzee, Leo escapes captivity and joins a human revolt. His search for a way home leads to Ape City and a revelation that changes the meaning of his journey.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is a reimagining of the 1968 science-fiction classic, which was itself based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel La Planete des singes.

• Rick Baker created the film's extensive practical ape makeup. The prosthetic designs were widely regarded as one of the production's strongest achievements.

• Charlton Heston and Linda Harrison, both associated with the original 1968 film, appear in small roles. Heston plays Thade's father, while Harrison appears among the human captives.

• Tim Roth found General Thade's costume extremely restrictive. During production, he reportedly developed trapped nerves and two herniated vertebrae.

• Mark Wahlberg agreed to join the project after a very brief meeting with Tim Burton. He also left the role of Linus in Ocean's Eleven to make the film.

• The film was released in the United States on July 27, 2001. It earned more than $362 million worldwide, but a planned sequel was never produced.