Return to the Planet of the Apes concepts would be Tim Burton's reimagining in 2001. Along with the second film "Beneath the Planet of the Apes", this is one of only two original "Planet of the Apes" productions in which Roddy McDowall was not involved. In 1975, after the failure of the live-action series, NBC and 20th Century Fox agreed to adapt "Planet of the Apes" for an animated series. The network contracted DePatie-Freleng Enterprises to produce a half-hour Saturday-morning cartoon titled "Return to the Planet of the Apes". Doug Wildey, co-creator of "Jonny Quest", took on most creative control as associate producer, storyboard director, and supervising
Escape from the Planet of the Apes the second. A new character of Dr. Milo is introduced played by actor Sal Mineo, who hoped his career would gain from the new project much as McDowall's career had from participating in the first film. Charlton Heston, star of the first film and supporting actor in the second, appears in this third installment only in two brief flashback sequences. Despite "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" ending in a way that seemed to prevent the series from continuing forward, 20th Century Fox still wanted a sequel. Roddy McDowell, in the franchise documentary "Behind the Planet of the Apes", stated