John Lithgow & Freida Pinto Join ‘Rise of the Apes’

The prequel to ‘Planet of the Apes’ has added two more to its cast list. John Lithgow (Dexter) and Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) have officially signed on for the film. Lithgow will play the Alzheimer’s-stricken father of the lead character, to be played by James Franco. Pinto will be the female lead, playing a primatologist.

‘Rise of the Apes’ is to be directed by Rupert Wyatt (The Escapist) and will show how Franco’s character attempts to cure Alzheimer’s, which results in an ape named Caesar taking an evolutionary leap forward. It starts shooting in British Columbia this summer.