Matt Reeves’ Dawn of the Planet of the Apes has been building momentum nicely in recent weeks, with its first slew of casting announcing that Jason Clarke, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Gary Oldman, and Keri Russell were boarding the follow-up to Rupert Wyatt’s original reboot, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Russell most recently came on board at the start of the month, taking the female lead for the sequel.
And now Vulture report that the ever-brilliant Judy Greer (Arrested Development, Archer) has come on board for the film as well.
Whereas Russell will be the human female lead, Greer will instead be donning the performance capture suit opposite Andy Serkis, starring as the love interest for Serkis’ ape, Caesar.
Her character, Cornelia, was briefly introduced in the original 2011 movie, then played by dancer Devyn Dalton. But now the role is set to be expanded in the sequel, and I love that Greer has come on board.
Whilst we don’t yet have an official, detailed synopsis, we do know the following.
One focus is on the group of human scientists who are struggling to survive alone in San Francisco. Another aspect of the story is the struggle of intelligent ape, Caesar, to maintain dominance over his kingdom.
Reeves (Cloverfield) is directing from a script by Mark Bomback (The Wolverine). And Peter Chernin, Dylan Clarke, Amanda Silver, and Rick Jaffa will be producing.
Greer is one of my favourite actresses, who truly doesn’t get as much recognition as she deserves. But with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes on her slate, along with the upcoming Carrie remake, I’m hoping that that will continue to change, as it has been in recent years.
The original report notes that it was Serkis who encouraged her to lobby for a part in Reeves’ sequel, with Greer noting that her husband is a big, big fan of the originals. So it definitely seems appropriate that she’ll be starring opposite Serkis (once more, following 13 Going on 30) for the sequel.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set to be released on May 23rd, 2014, and is definitely a strong candidate to be one of the highest-grossing films of next year.
