AceShowbiz -

"Rise of the Apes" has found a man who will have a significant role in the movement. Reports say James Franco has been tapped to star in the upcoming film, playing a scientist who has been working on a cure for Alzheimer's that is being tested on apes.

The test subject named Caesar starts to evolve rapidly, and Franco's character takes him home to live with him and protects him from cruel doctors. The apes, meanwhile, will not be played by actors in costumes but rather rendered digitally to be photo-realistic by WETA.

The story itself will be set in contemporary San Francisco, where a genetic engineering experiment leads to the creation of intelligence in apes, causing an inevitable conflict between species. Shooting is planned to begin on July 5 in British Columbia, with Rupert Wyatt on board to direct. 20th Century Fox eyes June 24, 2011 U.S. release for this "Planet of the Apes" prequel.

James Franco achieved international fame after portraying Harry Osborn in "Spider-Man" trilogy. He received Golden Globe nomination for his role of Saul Silver in "Pineapple Express". The 32-year-old star is set to reprise his role as a bad-boy performance artist in TV series "General Hospital".