‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ opens with $56.5 million

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Noa, played by Owen Teague, from left, Freya Allan as Nova, and Raka, played by Peter Macon, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

LOS ANGELES – “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” injected some life into a slow spring at the box office, opening with $56.5 million this weekend to lead all films in North America, according to industry estimates
released Sunday.

The latest entry in a franchise that began with 1968’s “Planet of the Apes” starring Charlton Heston was directed by Wes Ball and stars Owen Teague in the lead role, with support from Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon and William H. Macy.

“The Fall Guy” slipped to second place one week after opening in first place, taking in $13.7 million Friday through Sunday, Comscore reported.

“Challengers” was third with $4.7 million in its third weekend in theaters.

The horror film “Tarot” took fourth place with $3.4 million in its second week, followed by “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which grossed $2.6 million in its seventh week.

In “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, our new ” hero is the young ape Noa (Owen Teague ) who is like all young adult chimps — seeking his father’s approval and testing his bravery. He is part of a clan that raises pet eagles, smokes fish and lives peacefully.

This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Proximus Caesar, played by Kevin Durand, in a scene from “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” (20th Century Studios via AP)

That all changes when his village is attacked not by humans but by fellow apes — masked soldiers from a nasty kingdom led by the crown-wearing Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand).

Along for the heroic ride is a human young woman (Freya Allan) who is hiding an agenda but offers Noa help along the way.

The movie races to a complex face-off between good and bad apes and good and bad humans outside a hulking silo that holds promise to each group. Can apes and humans live in peace, as Caesar hoped? “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” doesn’t answer that but it does open up plenty more to ponder. Starting with the potentially crippling proposition of a key death, this franchise has somehow found new vibrancy. (With CNS report)