I can’t help welcoming our new primate overlords. It’s hard to have high hopes for the Planet Of The Apes prequel, since Tim Burton’s recent foray into the franchise was so dismal, but there seems to be a lot of talent involved. Brian Cox is the latest to join the impressive cast of Rise Of The Apes. Cox, known for his impressive scenery-chewing capabilities, has been cast as “the villainous owner of a primate sanctuary” who will inevitably be first up against the wall when the Ape uprising starts. Cox joins cast members James Franco, John Lithgow, and Andy Serkis, who is putting the motion capture suit back on to play the ape leader Caesar.
Rise Of The Apes will be set in the modern day and serve as an origin story for the primate franchise. The story follows a scientist (Franco) whose genetic engineering accidentally creates an advanced race of apes, led by Caesar. The film is being directed by Rupert Wyatt, who previously worked with Cox on The Escapist, and written by Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa.
Source: The Wrap