Jason Clarke Cast in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; Also Gary Oldman

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the sequel to the 2011 hit Rise of the Planet of the Apes, has signed-on Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, Chicago Code) for a starring role. Though the character is unknown at this point the film will take place 15 years after the events of Rise. That means it is unlikely the leads from the prequel – James Franco and Freida Pinto – will be featured prominently if they even return at all.

The film will be directed by Matt Reeves (Let Me In, Cloverfield) and also return Andy Serkis to the performance-capture role of the lead ape Caesar. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes has already locked in a release date of May 23, 2014.

(Update) Gary Oldman has also been cast. He’ll be playing the leader of a human resistance group.