20th Century Fox Announces Actress Keri Russell Cast In Matt Reeves’ DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

TV’s “Felicity,” Keri Russell, and series writer/director Matt Reeves (LET ME IN) have re-teamed for 20th Century Fox’s DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Variety is reporting that the actress has been added to the cast as the lead for the sequel to 2011’s RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Set more than a decade after RISE, things aren’t looking good for the humans and the apes are running the place.

Part of the film’s focus is said to be on a small group of San Francisco-based scientists that are forming a resistance against the apes and part follows Serkis’ Caesar as he, like his namesake, tries to maintain order and power within his new civilization. (Coming Soon)

Nothing yet on what character Russell will play, but I’m hoping she takes on a Kim Hunter/Zira (PLANET OF THE APES, 1968) like role when the film is released on May 23, 2014. As previously announced, the all-star cast includes Andy Serkis “Caesar” (THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, KING KONG – 2005), Jason Clarke (ZERO DARK THIRTY, LAWLESS), Kodi-Smit McPhee (PARANORMAN, LET ME IN, THE ROAD) and Gary Oldman (THE DARK KNIGHT RISES & TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY). DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES will be produced by Chernin Entertainment.

The script is by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. They did the first film, which grossed $483 million worldwide and set up the apocalyptic sequel story. Read our 2011 conversation with the duo HERE.