Daryl Hannah Joins James Franco in Gay-Themed Drama ‘Michael’ (Exclusive)

Gus Van Sant is executive producing the indie movie, which is being directed by Justin Kelly

“Kill Bill” star Daryl Hannah has joined the cast of Justin Kelly’s indie drama “Michael,” which stars James Franco as an anti-gay pastor who used to be gay himself, TheWrap has learned.

Kelly is directing from a script he co-wrote with Stacey Miller, based on Benoit Denizet-Lewis’ New York Times Magazine article “My Ex-Gay Friend.”

Story follows Michael Glatze (Franco), a gay activist from Wyoming who renounced his homosexuality after enduring years of abuse and became a conservative Christian minister.

Also read: Naveen Andrews, Daryl Hannah Among 14 Cast Members Revealed for Netflix’s ‘Sense8’

Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts co-star in the film alongside Chris Zylka, Avan Jogia, Charlie Carver and Lesley Ann Warren, who was recently cast as Quinto’s mother.

Hannah will play Deborah, who runs a Colorado Buddhist retreat where Michael (Franco) goes to find solace.

Gus Van Sant is serving as an executive producer on “Michael,” which Franco is producing with Vince Jolivette, Michael Mendelsohn, Ron Singer and Scott Reed.

Also read: James Franco Shares First Look of Himself as Gay Activist in ‘Michael’ From EP Gus Van Sant (Photo)

Kelly has previously described the movie as “a very relatable story about the power of belief and the desire to belong.”

Hannah has been busy of late, as she’s also filming the Netflix series “Sense8,” which hails from executive producers Andy and Lana Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski.

Hannah’s past feature credits include “Splash,” “Blade Runner, “Wall Street” and “Roxanne.” She’s represented by Priya Satiani and Robyn Holt at Genesis Entertainment Partners as well as attorney Lawrence Kopeikin at Morris Yorn.

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