Planet of the Apes (2001)

Episode 114 (May 10, 2024)

As we face the dawn of the new Planet of the Apes, we go back to Tim Burton’s ill-fated 2001 “reimagining” of the original classic. Charlton Heston gave one of the most captivating leading man performances in sci-fi history back in 1968, so how does Mark Wahlberg’s performance stack up here? And why is Tim Roth doing… that… in this movie?

The ape makeup looks great though, doesn’t it folks? This is a movie Matt has long contended is “not as bad as everyone says.” Will he stick to his convictions this time around?

The show is joined by its friend Cinematic Joshua (@CinematicJoshua on TikTok) to help us answer these questions and many more.

Time stamps:
00:06:07 — Our relationships with the many Planet of the Apes movies
00:14:04 — Pre-movie predictions
00:25:55 — History segment: Pierre Boulle’s original novel, the 1968 film, and the development of production of the 2001 film
00:43:57 — In-depth movie discussion
01:36:01 — Final thoughts and star ratings

Artwork by Laci Roth.

Music by Rural Route Nine. Listen to their album The Joy of Averages on Spotify (https://bit.ly/48WBtUa), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/3Q6kOVC), or YouTube (https://bit.ly/3MbU6tC).

Songs by Rural Route Nine in this episode:

“Your Ambition” – https://youtu.be/ZHudVTCkrQY

“Winston-Salem” – https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM

“Snake Drama” – https://youtu.be/xrzz8_2Mqkg

“The Bible Towers of Bluebonnet” – https://youtu.be/k7wlxTGGEIQ

Sources:
Tales From Development Hell by David Hughes – https://amzn.to/4aedhMq

“Mark Wahlberg Explains Why His ‘Planet Of The Apes’ Reboot Failed” by Terri Schwartz | MTV, 2011 – https://bit.ly/3W4lW0K

Enjoy some clips from the episode!

Did they trick Charlton Heston into appearing in the movie?

Mark Wahlberg is utterly nonplussed

Charlton Heston was at different times struck with wonder, awe, and fury in the original Planet of the Apes. Mark Wahlberg in the same role was utterly unimpressed. pic.twitter.com/dbUZ3uMB5i
— Load Bearing Beams (@LoadBearingPod) May 15, 2024

Laci doesn't care for your monkey business

In this outtake from today's episode, Laci yells at our dog—and into her microphone and, consequently, into Matt's headphones. pic.twitter.com/4BPapj4eoy
— Load Bearing Beams (@LoadBearingPod) May 10, 2024

Is Tim Roth good in this movie?

@load.bearing.beams I love@Cinematic Joshua point in this clip about how #timroth could have dialed this performance back to make it work. On last week’s episode we talk #ti#timburtona#markwahlbergl#planetoftheapesi#filmtok ♬ original sound - Load Bearing Beams Podcast

A Fox executive chased Arnold Schwarzenegger away from the movie by insisting the apes play baseball

The 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes was in development at Fox for more than a decade, and at one point Arnold Schwarzengger was chased away from the project by an executive who insisted that the apes play baseball. pic.twitter.com/ngAew7gHzo
— Load Bearing Beams (@LoadBearingPod) May 12, 2024

Matt reviews Pierre Boulle's original Planet of the Apes novel

@mattstokes9 I finally read the 1963 novel PLANET OF THE APE, to prepare for the @Load Bearing Beams Podcast episode with @Cinematic Joshua ♬ original sound - mattstokes9