James Franco is ready to take on human-like monkeys in the upcoming thriller Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

The Oscar host puts on his serious face as a scientist who finds a drug to help the brain repair itself, and of course, it's tested on an ape. However, a side effect of the drug is increased brain function .... which ultimately creates hundreds of angry, uber-intelligent apes. Looks pretty intense!

Find out when the apes invade theaters ... after the jump.