Keri Russell to star in 'Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes'

Variety has revealed that Keri Russell has landed the female lead role in "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes."

Russell joins Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Kodi-Smit McPhee, who have already been confirmed for the follow-up to "Rise of the Planet of the Apes."

For now, there is no indication as to which part Russell will play. She will, however, be on familiar ground since she will be directed by Matt Reeves, who co-created "Felicity," the series in which she shot to fame at the end of the 1990s.

Filming on "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," which will again be loosely based on Pierre Boulle's novel, will start in spring. Andy Serkis will reprise his role as Cesar, the chimpanzee leading the violent revolt of the apes against mankind. Gary Oldman will play the leader of the human resistance in a story set fifteen years after the first movie.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is set for release on May 23, 2014 in North American cinemas. It will be released worldwide shortly thereafter.