Weaver set to star in 1st TV movie

LOS ANGELES, May 19 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver has signed on to star and co-produce a TV movie adaptation of the book "Prayers for Bobby," Lifetime Networks said Monday.

The Lifetime Original Movie will mark Weaver's first performance in a made-for-television movie.

Based on a true story and Leroy Aarons' book of the same name, the film will star Weaver as "a profoundly religious wife and mother who begins to question her faith after the suicide of her beloved gay son," Lifetime said.

"Prayers for Bobby" is slated to premiere in February 2009 on Lifetime Television.

"Sigourney Weaver's passion and dedication to this project are incredibly inspiring," Tanya Lopez, senior vice president of original movies for Lifetime Networks, said in a statement. "As both the star and co-producer of this movie, she wholly embodies the strength and perseverance of Mary Griffith."

Weaver's screen credits include the "Alien" movies, "Ghostbusters," "Ghostbusters II," "Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey," "Working Girl," "The Ice Storm" and "The Village."

She can now be seen on the big screen in "Baby Mama."