Fox has set James Franco to star in Rise of the Apes, the Planet of the Apes prequel that Rupert Wyatt is directing at Fox, reports Deadline.

Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark are producing with Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa. Production is to start on July 5 for a planned June 24, 2011, release.

Silver and Jaffa wrote the script.

Per Deadline, the film is set in contemporary San Francisco, where a genetic engineering experiment leads to the creation of intelligence in apes, causing an inevitable conflict between species.

Franco will play a young scientist who becomes a crucial figure in the war between humans and apes. 

Variety notes that Franco beat out a number of Hollywood's young elite actors for the role after a weekend sit-down with Wyatt that resulted in an amazing meeting of the minds, according to insiders.

Story: http://www.hollywoodwiretap.com/?module=news&action=story&id=48404