Planet of the Apes (novel) film was a critical and commercial success, spawning four sequels on a one film a year basis between 1970 and 1973. A second adaptation of the book was released in 2001 directed by Tim Burton as a loose remake of the 1968 film of the same name. A series reboot with a new production team called "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was released in 2011 to critical and commercial success. It was the first in a new series of films. Independent of the American franchise, a 1974 Japanese television series, "Saru No Gundan", was based on the novel.
Planet of the Apes independent film director, would develop a new "Apes" movie. At a Fox executive's invitation, Rifkin pitched a concept for "Return to the Planet of the Apes", an alternative sequel to "Planet" that ignored the other four films. In Rifkin's initial concept, Taylor's descendant Duke launches a Spartacus-like uprising against Roman-inspired ape oppressors led by General Izan. Days before the project was scheduled to enter pre-production, Fox brought in new studio executives who sent it back to development. They commissioned Rifkin to write several redrafts, but found them unsatisfactory and ultimately scrapped the project. After several years in limbo, Fox returned