James Franco to Star in Justin Kelly's MICHAEL

Deadline reports that James Franco will star in Justin Kelly's upcoming film MICHAEL, based on the New York Times Magazine article by Benoit Denizet-Lewis titled, "My Ex-Gay Friend." Filming is set to get underway this summer.

Franco will portray the lead role of a gay activist who, "after enduring years of taunts and struggle, becomes an anti-gay Christian pastor." Kelly penned the script while Franco, Vince Jolivette, Scott Reed, Ron Singer and Joel Michaely will produce. Gus Van Sant is exec producer.

Franco is currently making his Broadway debut in Anna D. Shapiro's new production of Of Mice and Men, which began performances at New York's Longacre Theatre this March.

Franco began his career as "Daniel Desario", on the short-lived cult hit television program Freaks and Geeks. He later achieved recognition for playing the title character in the TV biographical film James Dean (2001), in which he won a Golden Globe Award, and for playing Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007).

He is also known for his roles in the films Pineapple Express (2008), Milk (2008), 127 Hours (2010),Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), Spring Breakers (2013), and This Is the End (2013). He also had arecurring role in the ABC soap opera General Hospital. For his role in 127 Hours, Franco was awarded an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

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