Woody Harrelson has been cast in a leading role in 'War of the Planet of the Apes'.

The 54-year-old actor, who recently starred alongside Matthew Mcconaughey in the hit TV show 'True Detective', will play a villainous part in the latest installment of the iconic sci-fi franchise about an advanced monkey race.

The eagerly-awaited new movie is being directed by Matt Reeves, while Mark Bomback will once again write the script.

But before 'War of the Planet of the Apes' hits cinema screens in 2017, Woody can be seen alongside Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence in 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2'.

Woody has previously said becoming friends with Jennifer is one of the best things about working on the franchise.

He said: ''When I think about the fact that I did turn down 'The Hunger Games' [at first] and had to be [talked into it by director Gary Ross], I think to myself the thing that I would miss more than anything - you know, certainly, I'd want to be a part of 'The Hunger Games' just generally in the other aspects, but not getting to know Jen is just, like, inconceivable.''