Planet of the Apes (1968 film) and Linda Harrison, played Cornelius and Zira. This test footage is included on several DVD releases of the film, as well as the documentary "Behind the Planet of the Apes". Linda Harrison, at the time the girlfriend of studio chief Richard Zanuck, went on to play Nova in the 1968 film and its first sequel, and had a cameo in Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes" more than 30 years later, which was also produced by Zanuck. Although Harrison often opined that the producers had always had her in mind for the role of Nova, they had, in fact, considered
Planet of the Apes (2001 film) to a sequel, "but not a sequel to the fifth film, an alternate sequel to the first film". He took influences from "Spartacus", with the storyline being "the ape empire had reached its Roman era. A descendant of Charlton Heston's character named Duke would eventually lead a human slave revolt against the oppressive Roman-esque apes, led by General Izan. A real sword and sandal spectacular, monkey style. "Gladiator" did the same movie without the ape costumes." Titled "Return to the Planet of the Apes", the project was put on fast track and almost entered pre-production. Rick Baker was hired to