The 7 directors in the running for Apes sequel

Hot on the heels of breaking news that Matt Reeves has dropped out of Warner’s “Twilight Zone” reboot comes news that the “Cloverfield” helmer has emerged as a frontrunner for the helmer’s job on Fox’s new “Planet of the Apes” movie.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” was expected to be captained by Rupert Wyatt, director of last year’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, but he’s since dropped out.

Deadline reports that there are seven on Fox’s wishlist to replace Wyatt, one of them being Reeves.

Aside from Reeves, J Blakeson (“The Disappearance Of Alice Creed”), Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (“28 Weeks Later”), Jeff Nichols (“Take Shelter”), Guillermo del Toro (“Pacific Rim”), Juan Antonio Bayona (“The Impossible”) and Rian Johnson (“Looper”) – though Johnson’s reps deny he is in the running.

I’d say, based on Reeves’ sudden departure from “Twilight Zone” this morning, that there’s a fair chance he might have already scored the job. Maybe.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” will be released May 23, 2014.