We recently reported that 20th Century Fox had set a release date for its forthcoming Rupert Wyatt (The Escapist) directed Planet Of The Apes prequel, Rise of the Apes. While there was no word on casting at the time, but now we know who will take the lead role in the film, one James Franco (Spider-Man).

Deadline is reporting that Franco will play a young scientist who has a key role in the conflict that started between the apes and humans. The film will be set in present-day San Francisco where a string of genetic experiments leads to apes becoming intelligent and creating a power struggle between the apes and humans.

Rise of the Apes is set to hit theaters on June 24, 2011.