Actress Freida Pinto, who became popular with her debut film Slumdog Millionaire, is likely to star opposite the Spider -Man actor James Franco in the Rise of the Apes.

Pinto has been approached to act in this prequel of the Planet of the Apes. The 25 year old actress will be playing the role of a primatologist, Caroline. James will take up the role of a scientist, who becomes an important figure in the conflict between the humans and apes. Actor John Lithgow is expected to play the role of Franco's father.

Rise of the Apes is set in the present day San Francisco. It revolves around the consequences of human experiments with genetic engineering. The use of the technique leads to the advancement of intelligence in apes, thus beginning a war for supremacy.

Rupert Wyatt will be directing the movie and it will go on floors by next month. The makers of Rise of the Apes are scheduling to release it on 24th June, 2011.

The prequel is being produced by Chernin Entertainment. WETA digital, the visual effects house of Peter Jackson, will deliver the photo-realistic apes, rather than the costumed actors.

Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa have penned the script of Rise of the Apes.