Content distribution platform and VR studio Within is partnering up with FoxNext, a recently created immersive media division of 21st Century Fox. The new partnership is promising to “bring viewers a new slate of virtual reality experiences this year,” the first of which will be based on Fox’s Planet of the Apes franchise.

The first VR project, based on the dystopian sci-fi film, will be directed and produced by Within Founder and CEO Chris Milk. The creators say the project will utilize artificial intelligence to deliver a shared social experience that will be available on the Within app and across both VR and AR platforms.

rise of the planet of the apes
Image courtesy 21st Century Fox

Annapurna Pictures will also be partnering with Within and FoxNext to create an original VR film called I Remember You (working title). Milk is set to produce and direct the film, and develop alongside award-winning director Spike Jonze and Annapurna Pictures Founder Megan Ellison. The film will be available through Within, an app that is available on SteamVR for PC VR headsets and Oculus Home for Gear VR.

Annapurna’s VR titles have included Evolution of Verse, The Click Effect, and two upcoming projects Life of Us and Kathryn Bigelow’s The Protectors for National Geographic, both of which are currently at Sundance and will see a general release on the Within app in 2017.

SEE ALSO
'Hello, Again' by Director Chris Milk is a Revolutionary Virtual Reality Concert Experience Featuring Beck

Within announced a $12.4m series A funding round last June, taking on a number of investors from established media including 21st Century Fox, Annapurna Pictures, Legendary Pictures, and Vice Media.

“Virtual reality is the next generation of entertainment and PLANET OF THE APES provides the perfect canvas to create a new kind of filmmaking experience that will further immerse fans into the franchise,” said Salil Mehta, President, FoxNext. “In partnership with visionary filmmakers like Chris, and companies like Within, Fox will continue to push the envelope to create immersive experiences that bring audiences into the action like never before.”

Newsletter graphic

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product we may receive a small commission which helps support the publication. More information.


Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • DougP

    Interesting article & news on these productions.

    VR “movies” –
    Really excited about the potential for truly interactive “movies” (https://roadtovrlive-5ea0.kxcdn.com/stories) in VR. Such as mixing life-action with real-time CGI (characters & effects), whereby your “virtual actor” can change elements & have an effect on the story vs very passive *viewing* experience.

    Life action elements –
    The holy grail will be utilizing lightfield/volumetric capture & seamlessly integrating this.

    Exciting future ahead for VR & “movie like” experiences.

    • KristenB

      Yes, Doug. There is SO MUCH that can and will be done with VR entertainment. Think choose your own adventure type. It’ll take quite a while to occur, then more time to develop quality. Consumers will have different experiences each time they watch the movie.

  • Eric Lotze

    This is also available on iOS for google cardboard and such just so you know.

  • NooYawker

    There’s not many videos on within. Every VR movie app seems to have a different set of movies.