Franklin in 'Church' for Lionsgate

December 02, 2006 Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin will play himself in "Church Boy," an autobiographical feature he's producing for Lionsgate. "Church Boy" follows the singer from his abandonment by a young mother to his direction of a Texas choir at age 11, a teenage dive into sex and drugs and his ultimate redemption and success. Lionsgate president of production Mike Paseornek will oversee the project, which is expected to begin principal photography this spring and be released theatrically in 2008.

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