With a new November release date, we finally have our first look at Rupert Wyatt‘s (The Escapist) Planet of the Apes prequel Rise of the Apes. The fine folks at JoBlo provide our first look at star James Franco, who is getting ready for his Oscar hosting duties this Sunday. Just check out his newly acquired and frequently updated Twitter: @JamesFranco.
The blockbuster also stars Freida Pinto and Andy Serkis (in his motion capture performance suite). WETA is developing the photo-realistic apes using Avatar-like technology. Franco, as you can see above, plays young scientist Will Rodman, “who makes a breakthrough while studying the development of intelligence in apes.”
Plot: RISE OF THE APES is an origin story in the truest sense of the term. Set in present day San Francisco, the film is a reality-based cautionary tale, a science fiction/science fact blend, where man’s own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.
Rise of the Apes hits theaters November 23rd, 2011 next to Hugo Cabret, Arthur Christmas, The Muppets, and Project X.
What do you think of our first look? Are you going to watch the Oscars this Sunday?