Looper's Rian Johnson in frame for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

With the unfortunate news that Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt has stepped down from the sequel entitled Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, word is Fox have moved forward to find a replacement.

It is reported that Wyatt stepped away over concerns that he would be unable to deliver a quality film on Fox's schedule.

The good news is that several directors are now being considered to replace Wyatt, with Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves is amongst the frontrunners, with the likes of Take Shelter's Jeff Nichols, 28 Weeks Later's Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, The Disappearance of Alice Creed's J Blakeson, The Impossible's Juan Antonio Bayona, and the legendary Guillermo del Toro also in the frame.

While it has been denied by his representatives, word is that Looper's Rian Johnson is in the frame to take over.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set to hit cinemas on May 22 2014 so only time will tell who will direct Andy Serkis's Caesar.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Film Page

LOOPER IS OUT ON FRIDAY