REPORT: James Franco Set for “Planet of the Apes” Prequel

127 Hours Aron Ralston james franco Pineapple Express Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes remake Rise of the Apes Spider-man Tim Burton

10:26 am, May 21st, 2010

Audiences are about to go ape for James Franco.

The Spider-man and Pineapple Express actor is reportedly set to star in Rise of the Apes, a prequel to the Planet of the Apes series.

But Franco won’t be playing a hunky monkey.

He’s in talks to play a scientist in contemporary San Francisco, where a genetic engineering experiment leads to intelligent apes and their showdown with humans.

It’s expected to open in summer 2011.

Planet of the Apes was last visited in Tim Burton‘s 2001 remake of the 1960s original.

The busy Franco also stars as Aron Ralston in the upcoming 127 Hours, about a real-life hiker forced to cut off his own arm to survive a climbing accident.

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