James Franco is going toe-to-toe with those damn dirty apes. The Spider-Man actor has signed on to star in Rise of the Apes, 20th Century Fox's prequel to the Planet of the Apes franchise. Franco plays a scientist testing a potential cure for Alzheimer's on apes, and when one test subject named Caesar begins rapidly evolving, the scientist brings him home to protect the animal from cruel doctors.

Franco is the first major actor to join Rise of the Apes. Rupert Wyatt directs the film based on a screenplay from Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa. Special effects company WETA Workshop is also on board for the prequel.

In addition to Apes, Franco has also just signed on for Ricky Stanicky, a new comedy from Summit Entertainment. He'll also reprise his role on General Hospital for some terrible reason.

Source: Heat Vision