Lithgow joins new 'Planet Of The Apes'

John Lithgow has joined the cast of 20th Century Fox's Planet Of The Apes prequel, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie, titled Rise Of The Apes, centres on a scientist (James Franco) who begins testing a cure for Alzheimer's on apes. The experiment on subject Caesar goes awry and a war between humans and apes quickly erupts.

Lithgow will play Franco's father, who suffers from Alzheimer's. Slumdog Millionaire's Pinto has also been confirmed for the sci-fi project playing a primatologist.

The Escapist director Rupert Wyatt is helming the blockbuster, due for release in June 2011.