Either 20th Century Fox are confident that the simple sight of the ubiquitous
James Franco and his current popularity is enough to start generating interest or, they have a desire to hold back on showing us the photo realistic Weta digital/
Andy Serkis created apes for now, with the release of this frankly un-inspiring first pic from the series prequel
Rise of the Apes. Though the movie was recently set back from June to open the Thanksgiving weekend, so I guess there's no reason to overwhelm us this early with the money shots of the now CGI creature. Rise' is an origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.
James Franco leads as the scientist responsible for the ape uprising and who initially takes Caesar (aka the first super intelligent ape that rises against the humans) home to protect him for his rival doctors. Francos desperate desire to cure Alzheimers is in the hope to end his fathers suffering from the diseaase (
John Lithgow). WETA vet
Andy Serkis reunites with the company that transformed him into Gollum and King Kong and will motion-cap Caesar, marking a shift in the series as it moves into CGI rather than man in suit apes.
Freida Pinto, whose career is blossoming post-Slumdog Millionaire (she was a focal point in Woody Allens You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, and has worked with Julian Schnabel and Tarsem Singh since) is also on board as a primatologist and former Spooks actor
David Oyelowois Steve Jacobs, a member of the facilitys board of directors who announces phase 2, clinical trials.
Brian Cox has a role too.
Rupert Wyatt (The Escapist) directed from a script by
Rick Jaffa &
Amanda Silver - writers of The Relic.
There is little to no word on the movie so far, other than what's stated above and a couple of early nothing to write home about set photos but I expect something similar in tone possibly to last years Splice, with a bit more action maybe. It's definitely one to keep your eyes peeled for. So does Franco's blue jumper and hands-free kit get you excited for this one, or are you yet to 'go ape'?