Next Planet of the Apes Movie's Story Has Incredibly High Stakes

The official plot synopsis for the next Planet of the Apes movie, War for the Planet of the Apes, has been released--and the movie's story has some seriously high stakes.

According to the description, as posted on Collider, Caesar the ape and a human character named the Colonel will engage in an "epic battle." The fate of each species and the entire future of the planet will be decided by this showdown, apparently. Andy Serkis reprises his role as Caesar, while Woody Harrelson will play the Colonel.

Here is the full plot synopsis: "In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins this own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet."

In other news about War for the Planet of the Apes, producers have confirmed that Serkis, along with director Matt Reeves and producer Dylan Clark, will show off some new footage from the movie at New York Comic-Con next week.

The new Planet of the Apes series began with 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes. A sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, came out in 2014. Together, the films have made more than $380 million.

War for the Planet of the Apes debuts on July 14, 2017.