Marking her first foray into film since finding success on ABC's "Desperate Housewives," Teri Hatcher has joined the cast of "Resurrecting the Champ," a sports drama that Rod Lurie is directing. Phoenix Pictures and the Yari Film Group are producing.

The story is based on a Los Angeles Times article written by J.R. Moehringer and centers on a reporter who finds a homeless man who he thinks is a famous boxer but turns out to be a lesser-known fighter of the same era. Josh Hartnett plays the reporter suddenly thrust into the spotlight, and Samuel L. Jackson plays the fighter.

Hatcher will play the head of a TV channel who teaches Hartnett the ropes of being a reporter-turned-celebrity.

Producing are Mike Medavoy, Bob Yari, Arnold Messer, Bradley Fischer and Mark Frydman.

Hatcher's last feature was the 2003 indie "A Touch of Fate." She is lending her voice to two characters in "Coraline," the first animated film from Laika Entertainment. She is repped by Paradigm.