After the disappointing news hit last week that RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES director Rupert Wyatt will not be returning to helm its sequel, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, a short list of candidates has emerged.

First up, and reportedly the frontrunner, is Matt Reeves, director of the spectacular CLOVERFIELD. He was also responsible for one of the only remakes ever to get a polite nod from the critics as opposed to a kick to the balls, 2010’s LET ME IN. Not that anybody actually bothered to go see it mind. 28 WEEKS LATER director and future HIGHLANDER reboot helmer Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is also up for the gig, as is TAKE SHELTER’s Jeff Nichols, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED’s J. Blakeson, LOOPER’s Rian Johnson and THE IMPOSSIBLE’s Juan Antonio Bayona. And speaking of impossible, the final name on the list is surely a pipe dream, as it’s inconceivable he’ll ever have the time to squeeze it in amongst his billion other projects… Guillermo del Toro. Though the acclaimed filmmaker would no doubt jump at the chance to play in the sandbox of one of his favourites, Fox wants the sequel turned around fast (the reason Wyatt left) surely ruling him out already.

Expect a decision to be made soon, as DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES needs to get a wriggle on if it’s going to make its May 22nd 2014.

Which candidate is your favourite? Share your comments below or on Twitter @STARBURST_MAG

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