Jason Clarke witnesses the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Fresh from his stint needlessly torturing terrorists / securing American freedom (depending on which political pundit you read) in Zero Dark Thirty, Aussie actor Jason Clarke is set to appear in a slightly less incendiary picture.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, he has signed on for a leading role in the sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) replaces Rupert Wyatt for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

James Franco had previously stated he did not expect to be invited back for the follow-up to the surprise 2011 hit.

Andy Serkis, however, will indeed return as chimp king Caesar.

It hits cinemas May 2014.