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When evangelical leader Ted Haggard left his church after being caught in a sex scandal in 2006, many assumed that he career was over and done. In 2009, though, Haggard will return to the public eye in a new role—film promoter.

The AP reports that Haggard has agreed to play an active part in promoting a new film called The Trials of Ted Haggard. The film is a documentary about Haggard's scandal and disgrace in 2006, which ultimately led to his resignation from his job as the head pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Directed by Alexandra Pelosi—yes, the daughter of Speaker Nancy Pelosi—the movie premiers on HBO on January 29. Haggard previously worked with Pelosi on her documentary Friends of God, which was shot before the allegations against Haggard surfaced.

Though Haggard has a legal agreement with his former church that prevented him from speaking publicly about the incident, that agreement has expired, allowing he and his family to participate in a publicity tour in Los Angeles next month. According to a press release, the film "follows Haggard and his family as they move from houses to motels as the excommunicated pastor tries to redeem himself and support his loved ones." (In fact, though, Haggard was never excommunicated—simply dismissed from his role as pastor.)

And though some might assume that the film is critical of Haggard, Pelosi says that the movie is really about his church. "The story is about a church that preaches forgiveness. He, as a pastor, preached forgiveness and redemption. But he was not forgiven and he was not redeemed. They cast him out and they exiled him. It was very biblical in a way. Not that I even read the Bible, so I wouldn't know. But the people who go to church get told every Sunday, `We forgive.' He was not forgiven. That, to me, is what is interesting about it."

Reportedly, the film is also about Haggard's attempts to reconcile his same-sex attractions with the teachings of Scripture, and features Haggard telling Pelosi that he still struggles with sexual sin.

In other movie news:

Wall*E director Andrew Stanton prepares script for John Carter of Mars (MTV)
Mix of live-action and computer animation; to be released by Disney, not Pixar

Michigan church bases Bible study on James Bond (Kalamazoo Gazette)
Using Benjamin Pratt's "gospel-according-to-007" study guide

Life-of-Jesus movie Kingdom Come production delayed (Sunday Star Times)
New Zealand production halted for financial reasons

Disney offers Up sneak peak (Coming Soon)
Preview of new Pixar movie, in theaters in May

Slumdog director Danny Boyle talks awards buzz (The Independent)
Says it's flattering, but most a great platform for the film

British film academy announces award nominees (BAFTA.org)
BAFTA honors The Reader, Ben Button, Slumdog

Vancouver film critics pick Milk as best film (Movie City News)
Also honor Penn, Winslet, Ledger

Warner Bros., Fox settle Watchmen dispute (Hollywood Reporter)
Much-anticipated movie to open as scheduled on March 6

Emily Blunt in Iron Man 2? (Variety)
Devil Wears Prada actress might play villainous Black Widow

Jackie Chan joins Karate Kid remake (Variety)
Playing alongside Jaden Smith

Transformers, Terminator directors compete for biggest robot (Slash Film)
Michael Bay, McG take shots at one another

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