Earlier today I joked about James Franco having one of the odder acting careers of anyone out there, but I really didn't understand how crazy it could get until now. Variety reports that Franco is in talks to star in Rise of the Apes, the Planet of the Apes prequel in development at Fox.

I'm not sure what else to give you on this beyond stunned silence, but I'll try. Franco's character would be a current-day scientist who gets wrapped up in the ensuing disaster when humans genetically engineer apes to the point that they develop higher intelligence. Franco has met with direct Rupert Wyatt already, and with production set to start July 5, he really doesn't have much time to waffle on his decision.

Franco is busy developing as a reputation who will do anything and everything, but it's worth noting that his career in blockbusters is spotty-- he has Spider-Man behind him but was frequently whiny and unconvincing as Harry Osborne, and he would probably just as soon have you forget about Flyboys and Annapolis. Is Franco enough to get anyone behind this Planet of the Apes prequel? I'll admit, it's the first sign of anything I care about going on in this movie.