Cloverfield director to helm Planet of the Apes sequel

Matt Reeves is to take over the reins of the rebooted 'Planet of the Apes' franchise.

The 'Cloverfield' director replaces Rupert Wyatt in the chair, who helmed the much-heralded 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' in 2011.

[Related story: Planet of the Apes sequel loses director?]

The anticipated follow-up, 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes', has a release set for 23 May 2014, which is said to be the reason that Wyatt stepped off.

It's thought Wyatt wasn't comfortable with the timeframe given to produce a sequel.

But Reeves should provide safe hands for the project, having also directed  'Let Me In', the Hollywood remake of Swedish vampire shocker 'Let The Right One In'.

He's also working on a 'Cloverfield' sequel with JJ Abrams, but so far without any timeframe involved.

There are no details on the plot of 'Dawn...' yet, but it will likely follow scorned ape Caesar, played by Brit actor Andy Serkis, and his growing revolutionary army as they take further control, assisted by an infection taking hold of humanity.