Actress Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) will star opposite James Franco in 20th Century Fox’s Planet of the Apes prequel, Rise of the Apes, a Fox rep confirmed to EW.com. Pinto will play a primatologist named Caroline, while Franco is playing a scientist. Set in present-day San Francisco, Rise of the Apes depicts how mankind’s experimentation with genetic engineering ultimately results in a war between humans and intelligent apes. John Lithgow has also joined the cast and will play Franco’s father. Apes, which is being directed by Rupert Wyatt (The Escapist), is scheduled for release on June 24, 2011.
UPDATE: John Lithgow has also joined the Apes prequel. He’ll play Franco’s Alzheimer’s-stricken father, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Oh, great, Planet of the Apes 65. It’s great to see a posting on EW.com that doesn’t have to do with Kate Gosselin or Wipeout. But once again the film industry recycles itself.
You kidding me? This is a chance to finally get an unrated, full monty ape on human love scene. I’m going to kiss you now, Caroline. Mmmmmuah!
This movie will bomb. People only watched the last one because they were intrigued by what Tim Burton would do with it – offer up a steaming pile of bananas. Get an original idea, Hollywood.
No good ever came from putting the word ‘rise’ in a title.
Uh, excuse me, a little thing called Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer? Or are we also forgetting G.I. JOE: Rise of Cobra? Or Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj? Or… no, no you’re right.
Lol. I`m hoping Freida Pinto will be mo-cap`d as an ape, though. She can`t act so she`ll need computer generated acting to strecth her limit beyond looking pretty and wooden.
A bit harsh don’t you think? Repeat that after having watched more than one movie and confirming she actually can’t act, then I can agree with you wholeheartedly.
They want to do prequel?…because the movie did so well. Didn’t they learn anything fron the Hulk
I think they’re doing a prequel to the original Apes movies, not the Tim Burton travesty.
She’s yummy.
I hate to say this, because I love everyone involved, but this is going to be a stinker.
James Franco as a SCIENTIST!? l am SO there!
Lol, I know. Could`ve been Freida Pinto as a scientist which equals Denise Richards as a scientist. I guess Franco in the role looks like Brando in coparison to what was and could`ve been.
Ohhhh, so its a movie with ugly people in it…(sarcasm font)
i love how you people think hollywood has run out of ideas as if hollywood was created for your random amusement. GET A CLUE hollywood hasnt run out of ideas they have run out of ways to tell YOU the same damn story – look for the clues and similarities in all films the messages are there to enlighten you not entertain u only
@alphawave… are you flipping serious? the only reason that Hollywood exists is to cater to our entertainment needs. and saying “they have run out of ways to tell you the same damn story” is just another way of saying that they have run out of ideas. here’s an idea: how about a completely NEW damn story?!
So sayeth Alphawave as he sits in a tiny darkened room wearing his tin foil hat.
They already did a prequel years ago with Ricardo Montalban.
Yeah, Planet of the Apes: The Wrath of Kahn. Great flick.
With that cast it sounds like it might been a guilty pleasure.
3rd tier actors (although I love Pinto)….just goes to show you the movie is going to flop.
I really don’t think Franco is 3rd tier. That is, in fact, just my opinion.
Do you mean not the celebrity rag “A-list” actors? Because Lithgow and Franco are excellent actors, comfortably above the third tier. Of course, I agree with your flop assessment. This movie is going nowhere fast.
I hope Liza Minelli sings “Single Ladies” in it !!
This.
What the hell does “This” mean ??
Oh, Frieda, you were doing so well, working with Allen and Schnabel.
Prequel? I don’t know what the hell this is. It’s a remake(sort of) to Conquest of The Planet of the Apes, which I guess you could call a prequel(I hate that word) to the original Planet…, but it was also a sequel to Escape From…, but I guess they’re calling it a prequel to Burton’s? No idea, but it’s gotta be better, right?