ZANUCK REVISITS 'PLANET OF APES' FOR FOX, BURTON

By Beth Laski

From Hollywood Reporter -- International Edition, vol 362 n 14, 03.21.2000

Oscar-winning producer Richard Zanuck has been tapped to produce 20th Century Fox's Planet of the Apes to be helmed by Tim Burton. The start of principal photography will likely come this fall, with plans for a summer 2001 release.

Zanuck's attachment to the apes dates back decades; he was in charge of production at Fox when the studio made the 1968 original Planet of the Apes starring Charlton Heston and 1970's "Beneath the Planet of the Apes."

"For me to come back into this, I feel like I'm in a time warp," Zanuck said. "I initially put this into production when I was at Fox 30-some years ago. The idea was so intriguing to me then, and I think we can do better now because technology will allow us to improve the look and articulation of the apes."

Zanuck said the script by Bill Broyles will undergo some revisions. Other credits on the project are being worked out.

Burton became the front-runner to direct the long-in-development Apes project last month (HR2/17).

"Tim Burton is somebody who I admire and have tried to get for a lot of my previous projects, but was never was able to do it," Zanuck said. He and Burton have met twice about the project and will meet again after Zanuck finishes his duties producing Sunday's Academy Awards with his wife Lili Fini Zanuck.

Sources with knowledge of the latest script said the story was written seemingly with Burton in mind. The story centers on a 25-year-old lead and is written with stunning visuals and a strong, humanistic story line.

Apes, along with the tapped-out Aliens, is one of the single biggest franchises owned by Fox. Because the studio owns the property, it stands to reap the benefit of any merchandising and licensing from the film.

Makeup and special effects wizard Start Winston has long been on Apes, staying on even as the project went from filmmaker to filmmaker in the development process. Winston worked on two of Burton's films: Edward Scissorhands and Batman Returns.

Apes had gone through various incarnations during the years, including those with Oliver Stone and James Cameron. Winston's involvement in the project even predated Cameron's interest.