Three more fairly big names have been linked to Rupert Wyatt’s next entry into the Planet of the Apes franchise titled Planet of the Apes: Rise of the Apes, and hopefully they’ll help the already announced participants erase the bad taste left in our mouths from Tim Burton’s fiasco.
Variety confirms the story that originally appeared on Bloody Disgusting days ago that Slumdog Millionaire‘s Freida Pinto is in talks to assume the role of Caroline, a primatologist in the new film.
Variety also reports that John Lithgow is circling a role in the film that will find him playing lead James Franco’s father while BD reports that Don Cheadle is checking out the flick for a role as well. Look for official confirmation(s) soon.
Set in present day San Francisco, Planet of the Apes: Rise of the Apes deals with the aftermath of man’s experiments with genetic engineering that lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. Franco will play a driven scientist who becomes a crucial figure in the war between humans and apes.
Filming starts next month for a June 24th, 2011 release.