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*John Singleton has told Blackfilm.com that he will be replacing Carl Franklin as the director of “Tulia,” a Lionsgate film that reteams Halle Berry with her “Monster’s Ball” co-star Billy Bob Thornton.
The movie is based on the true story of a massive racial profiling case in Tulia, Texas. Ten percent of the town’s black population was arrested for a drug crime, although no drugs or money were linked to the people in custody.
The undercover agent who conducted the bust was indicted for perjury, and most of the 46 arrestees were pardoned by Texas Gov. Rick Perry last year.
Berry will portray the key attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund who worked on the case. According to Blackfilm.com, she’ll be playing a character who is Indian.
Columbus Short is also being sought for the film, the Web site reports. Filming will take place in Texas.
Meanwhile, Franklin just signed on to direct “The Maintenance Man” for Screen Gems.