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He's back! James Franco to make cameo in Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes during flashback scene

Published: 12:47 EST, 28 April 2014 | Updated: 15:51 EST, 28 April 2014

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No one thought James Franco would ever pop up in another Planet Of The Apes film because his character already died after being exposed to a virus in the 2011 Rise Again film.

But on Sunday Collider.com reported the director of the new science fiction outing confirmed the 36-year-old Spring Breakers star will pop up in the film, which will hit US theaters on July 11.

'There is an appearance that he makes,' helmer Matt Reeves told the site.

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He's in a big summer movie: James Franco, pictured on April 16 at the opening of his play Of Mice And Men in NYC, has a cameo in July's Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

Can't let go of Franco: The 36-year-old actor with Freida Pinto in 2011's Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes

The 36-year-old actor starred as Will Rodman in Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes.

Asked whether unused scenes from the last film were to appear in Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Reeves said, 'There is an appearance that he makes which is not about some ending that they ... there's no reprise of the footage that they shot of his death or anything like that.'

Freida Pinto, who starred alongside Franco as Caroline Aranha in the 2011 film will not reprise her role, while Andy Serkis - who stars as Gollum in Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit - will return as the ape Caesar.

His new image: The former teen heartthrob has been sharing odd selfies on his Instagram account this year

Explaining the relevance of Franco's appearance, Reeves said: 'Essentially the idea is that Caesar has ties to both communities, to the humans because he has a human father in Will, who died in the viral apocalypse, and then he has the apes who are his family now.

'We felt this movie is so much about his emotional perspective that in order to set that into a framework you needed to refer to essentially his father.

'So, in a way that I won't totally give away, we essentially have a moment where you have Caesar sort of reminiscing or connecting to who Will was and what he meant to him.'

They're armed: Primates carry shotguns as they face off against humans in new stills from the upcoming film Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

Menacing: Andy Serkis returns to the role of genetically-altered chimp Caesar

In new stills from the movie, primates are seen wielding guns and other weapons as they wage war against humans.

Set over a decade after the events in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the human race is on the verge of extinction after a deadly virus and civil unrest have all but wiped out mankind. In turn, a new breed of super-smart apes have flourished, evolving in complex ways that have helped the new simian civilization thrive.

Andy Serkis returns to the role of genetically-altered chimp Caesar, while Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Keri Russell join the franchise as major players in the new world order.

In addition to new humans to battle, Caesar will also find a love interest, played by Judy Greer.

Are they a match for the beast? A group of people, including Keri Russell, are seen holding weapons as they make their way through a misty forest

Out for blood: The apes look angry as they carry spears while storming the forest

Growing more powerful: An ape is seen standing on a rocky outcrop beside a burning flame

On the warpath: The apes has seen riding black horses and wielding in this terrifying scene

The pictures depict the apes growing more powerful as they prepare for battle.

In one shot, a chimp is seen holding a shotgun, a look of menace on his face.

In another, a group of people, including actress Keri Russell, warily proceed through a forest, holding up their guns as they appear to come across a group of apes.

Cornered: Jason Clarke (right) plays Malcom, who is trying to make peace with Caesar (left)

Big responsibility: Gary Oldman plays the leader of the human resistance against in the apes in the film

Levity: And ape named Koba enjoys a relaxed moment with the humans, although the scene allegedly turns ugly

Empathy: In a touching scene, an ape is seen reaching out its hand to its fellow primate

In a recently released teaser clip of the film, a forest provides a glimpse into the collapse of modern society, as a former highway and gas station lay waste to new growth.

'We have been through hell together,' says Oldman as he addresses a crowd. 'We spent four years, four years, fighting that virus, and then another four fighting each other. It was chaos! But you all know what we're up against.'

The two species view each other as a threat to survival, creating an uneasy balance between the groups that could easily dissolve into all-out war.

Prepare for battle: Caesar prepares for war in a recent teaser trailer for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Destroyed civilization: Humans are on the brink of destruction when society begins to collapse

A leader emerges: Gary Oldman addresses a crowd, hoping to inspire the masses to not give up

WATCH: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes trailer

The clip shifts to a man (Jason Clarke) standing at the edge of a forest, looking up at the tall trees as he yells: 'I need...to speak...to Caesar!'

Cut to a close up of Caesar, looking ferocious in war paint, pointing his steely gaze to the audience.

As the camera pans back, an army of apes is revealed, armed as they sit perched in trees...ready for battle.

The full story: 'We spent four years, four years, fighting that virus, and then another four fighting each other. It was chaos!'

On the hunt: A lone figure explores the forest, looking for the primate leader

Exploring the new world: The virus and civil unrest has made Earth unrecognizable

'I want you to know, it's not just about power. It's about giving us the hope to rebuild and reclaim the world we lost,' says Oldman, as Ceasar gives the signal for battle.

In an interview with Indie Wire's Anne Thompson, director Reeves hinted at events to come in the sci-fi thriller.

'The apes story is a through-the-looking-glass way of looking at what we are. By what's going on in the internal lives of the apes we are exploring ourselves, our impulses, our society. So much is roiling inside Caesar,' said the director.

'He has a rational side separate from the apes, they're all instinct. We are seeing how Caesar becomes this leader.'

Take me to your leader: 'I need...to speak...to Caesar!'

New chimp in town: Since his last appearance, Caesar has grown more powerful

On my mark! Caesar and his army ready for a possible man vs. ape battle

Matt Reeves Talks DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES and Future Sequels

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Mozer60, St Helens, United Kingdom, 1 hour ago

There was no suggestion James Franco's character was ever exposed to the virus in the last film. Not even a suggestion of it. This is the worst type of journalism.

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Englishbob, BIRMINGHAM, 3 hours ago

looks like north london

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Kathy In Cali, Simi Valley, United States, 4 hours ago

Where's his other hand while he's taking selfie? ~just sayin

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RM, london, United Kingdom, 7 hours ago

Don't remember James Franco dying? Anyway its a flashback?

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Mrs SHJP, Teddington, United Kingdom, 12 minutes ago

I don't think he did, I think that DM (typically) is just making an assumption due to the virus spreading at the end of the film and killing everyone (allegedly). Very excited about this though - the last one was brilliant.

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Char, London, United Kingdom, 7 hours ago

He didn't die in the first one but I guess he does in the second. Infact ill wager that is what the flashback showing what he meant to Cesar is about

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Hallalallalaland, London, United Kingdom, 8 hours ago

See that picture of Caesar ? That's you that is !

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Jey, Makati, Philippines, 8 hours ago

Loved the first movie..I'll see this for sure specially with Gary Oldman in it.

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Washington Reader, Vancouver, United States, 9 hours ago

I used to like James Franco but he lost my respect and with the recent bed photos, I think he is creepy now.

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Yello, London, United Kingdom, 10 hours ago

I don't remember Franco dying in the first film

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Jey, Makati, Philippines, 8 hours ago

me neither! , cause he didn't, ?, I mean the last scene was with Ceasar, asking permission to leave through their hand signal something..absolutely didn't show James dying.