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Is Charlton Heston’s Iconic Character Gone Forever in the New Planet of the Apes Timeline?

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In the ongoing saga of “Planet of the Apes,” Charlton Heston’s character Taylor was the original hero. However, one might wonder if he survives in the current timeline of the series. Since its initial release in 1968, “Planet of the Apes” has delved into a future where human kind has met its demise, leaving Earth under the control of intelligent apes who have risen to become the dominant species on the planet. Drawing inspiration from Pierre Boulle’s renowned political satire novel, the first film emphasized science fiction elements, setting the stage for a franchise that continues to thrive today.

In the 1960s and 1970s, movies showcased intricate storylines that often included time travel, making them even more puzzling. A reboot of Planet of the Apes was tried by Tim Burton in 2001, but it’s widely seen as a major flop. Thankfully, a savior arrived with the 2011 film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which rebooted the series and provided the genesis of the story. This fresh start did make some significant alterations to the original storyline, leaving Charlton Heston’s character Taylor in an uncertain state.

Charlton Heston’s George Taylor Probably Doesn’t Exist In The Current Planet Of The Apes Timeline

The Changes Likely Mean That Taylor Has Been Erased

The first prequel movie, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” significantly altered the narrative of ape supremacy on Earth. This alteration may have made the existence of Taylor questionable, as this film is set in the contemporary era, around 2011, which is approximately 40 years after his supposed space mission in 1968. However, the original “Planet of the Apes” movie from 1968 indicates that Taylor and his fellow astronauts departed Earth in 1972 and were presumed lost in space for thousands of years before their return to the planet.

In Rise of the Planet of the Apes, there was a subtle nod to the initial film through a quick news headline that read “Lost in Space?” This implies that the space mission depicted in the movie didn’t occur in 1972 as previously established, but instead took place in 2011. Given Taylor’s presumed age at the time of the original mission, it seems unlikely he would still be eligible for a space mission if it happened in 2011.

In the movie “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” there’s a subtle reference, or Easter egg, that seems to eliminate Taylor’s presence from the storyline. While Caesar is at the ape sanctuary, a film called “The Agony and the Ecstasy” is shown on one of the TVs. This 1960s historical drama was one of Charlton Heston’s most notable performances, and it was cleverly used to bring the late actor into the storyline even after his demise. However, if Charlton Heston exists in the “Planet of the Apes” universe, it’s improbable that his character would as well.

How The Modern Planet Of The Apes Movies Changed The Timeline

The Prequels Rebooted The Downfall Of Humans

The prequel series to “Planet of the Apes” provided a more realistic take on the original franchise, achieving this by altering certain fundamental aspects of its mythos. Contrary to 1968’s “Planet of the Apes” and its first sequel, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes”, which suggested that humanity was annihilated due to a nuclear catastrophe, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” deviated from this narrative. Instead, it introduced a virus responsible for the mass extinction of humans, coinciding with a scientific breakthrough that enhanced the apes’ cognitive abilities.

The alteration in this instance mirrors the retroactive continuity adjustment that the film “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” introduced. Notably, the third installment in the original series was the first to implement significant modifications to the previously established storyline. At that time, it remained ambiguous whether the shift in the timeline implied that Taylor had not traveled into the future. The movie “Escape” is set in 1971, a year prior to when Taylor’s mission was scheduled to begin. However, it remains uncertain if Cornelius, Milo, and Zira’s meddling with time affected Earth’s immediate future.

The Planet of the Apes prequel films include:

Movie Release Year Rotten Tomatoes Score
Rise of the Planet of the Apes 2011 82%
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 2014 91%
War for the Planet of the Apes 2017 94%
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 2024 80%

The “Apes Planet Kingdom” has hinted at space exploration, suggesting that the series may include encounters with astronauts from earlier eras. The headline in “Rise” could be a humorous aside or a hint of things to come. Given all the timeline shifts, it remains uncertain how the “Apes Planet” will appear if travelers from our past arrive in the future.

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2025-05-24 21:30

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