“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the 2011 reboot and prequel to 1968′s “Planet of the Apes,” is in the process of gathering its cast for a 2014 sequel. The newest film, titled “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” is set to be released May 23 of next year and will take place 15 years after “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”

The original 1968 film followed the journey of three astronauts who crash-land on an unknown planet after more than 2,000 years of deep hibernation. They soon discover that the dominant species on the planet are humanoid apes.

2011′s reboot gives the origins of how the apes grew so intelligent and took over the planet.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” begins 15 years after the 2011 movie was set. Gary Oldman (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) was reportedly added to the cast as the leader of one of the few human colonies left on the planet. Also cast was “Zero Dark Thirty” actor Jason Clarke and Andy Serkis, the CGI genius who’s best known as Smeagol/Gollum in “The Hobbit” and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Serkis will be reprising his role as the ape Caesar from “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” director Rupert Wyatt will not be directing the sequel — that position went to Matt Reeves, who directed “Cloverfield.” Scott Z. Burns, the screenwriter for “Contagion,” “The Informant!” and “The Bourne Ultimatum,” also signed on as screenwriter for the upcoming sequel last May.