Matt Reeves, the director of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, has signed a three-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox.

Fox claims the two sides were negotiating the deal before the second Apes film dropped, Deadline reports, but the studio is likely feeling good about the deal after the summer blockbuster has already grossed more than $370 million worldwide.

"We are thrilled Matt has decided to make Fox his home," production president Emma Watts said. "We have long admired his bold, intelligent approach to filmmaking. I know our collaboration on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is just the beginning of many great things to come."

One project the studio has already lined up for Reeves is the third Apes film. He is on board to direct and will co-write the script with Mark Bomback, who worked on the Dawn's screenplay.

This is the second such deal Reeves, who also directed the hit film Cloverfield, has signed with 20th Century Fox, The Hollywood Reporter notes. He signed a deal back in 2012 with the studio.

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