Apes return to the big screen

Planet of the Apes cost about $100m to make

By the BBC's Peter Bowes

The stars of the highly anticipated Planet of the Apes movie turned out for its New York première.

The remake of the 1968 classic features Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth and Helena Bonham Carter.

Original star Charlton Heston, joined by Mark Wahlberg, has a cameo in new production

The film, which is directed by Tim Burton, will be released in the United States and Japan on Friday - despite rumours in Hollywood that last-minute special effects were still being added to the science fiction adventure.

Scott Neeson, President 20th Century Fox International (Theatrical), confirmed to the BBC: "Tim Burton is a wonderful film-maker and he finished the film on time and on budget.

"It was finished completely according to plans."

The film reportedly cost $100m (£70.59m).

"It was a massive undertaking - it was very ambitious," Mr Neeson added.

Cameo

Wahlberg plays an astronaut who becomes stranded on an alien planet populated by talking primates.

The remake features the original star, Charlton Heston, in a cameo role as an ape.

Mr Neeson believes the audience will divide into two camps.

The film is one of the most highly anticipated of the summer

"Those that remember the first and have a lot of fond memories about how they felt when they first saw Planet of the Apes - and there's the under 30-year-olds that have no preconceptions of the Planet of the Apes and the concept is appealing," he said.

He added: "There is a twist and I think it will get a lot of people talking."

'Big business'

The film is one of the most anticipated of the summer season.

Brian Fuson, Hollywood Reporter's box office analyst, said polls measuring audience awareness of the movie suggest it will do big business in the opening weekend.

"The concept plays a big part in the anticipation of this film. It was an intriguing concept back then and it's still an intriguing concept now," he explained.

Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton turned out for the première

Most Hollywood-based critics will see the film at a Los Angeles screening on Tuesday.

"You can never tell until the movie comes out," warned Mr Fuson.

"The trailers look very strong - there is a lot of anticipation but whether it is warranted - that's something only the movie-goers can determine."