John Lithgow goes Ape

John LithgowHollywood Reporter informs us that John Lithgow (who recently won a Golden Globe for his work on DEXTER) has joined the cast of RISE OF THE APES, 20th Century Fox’s prequel to PLANET OF THE APES (2001). Also joining the cast is Freida Pinto (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE). James Franco is set to star. According to HR:

Rupert Wyatt will direct the feature, which focuses on a scientist (Franco) who has been working on a cure for Alzheimer’s that is being tested on apes. The test subject named Caesar evolves rapidly, and the scientist takes him home to live with him and protects him from cruel doctors.
Lithgow will play Franco’s Alzheimer’s-stricken father. Pinto is the movie’s female lead, a primatologist.

Shooting is scheduled to begin in British Columbia this summer. The screenplay is by Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa.

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