NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Actress Patricia Clarkson is back in her hometown of New Orleans to work in the film “Brother’s Keeper,” a World Wrestling Entertainment project that also stars pro wrestler John Cena, Devon Graye and Danny Glover.

The film, a family drama about a teenage boy (played by Graye) who tries to reconnect his family after the death of his collegiate wrestling star father, is set to begin filming in New Orleans this month.

Clarkson arrived in New Orleans on Wednesday, and filming is scheduled to run this week through the end of January, said David Calloway, the movie’s producer who is also vice president of WWE Studios.

“Patricia is thrilled to be working in New Orleans,” Calloway said. “She gets to see more of her family on her home ground. It’s great for her.”

Calloway said Clarkson has been on board with the project since discussion of making the film began several years ago.

“It speaks to the quality of the story and the screenplay,” Calloway said. “She’s really the consummate actress, and we count ourselves very, very fortunate to have her.”

Clarkson plays Sharon Chetley, a mother grieving the loss of her husband while struggling with an estranged son (played by Cena), who is a one-time high school wrestling star, and another son (played by Graye) who is socially isolated and determined to reconnect his wounded family.

Glover plays the role of a charming and mysterious man who shows up at paramount times in the life of Graye’s character, Cal Chetley.

“He’s the person from the past who comes forward at the right moments,” Calloway said. “It’s the traveling angel concept.”

“Brother’s Keeper” is the third project World Wrestling Entertainment has brought to Louisiana in as many years, Calloway said.

The company shot the action film “12 Rounds” in Louisiana last year and the comedy “Knucklehead” earlier this year. “12 Rounds”, which also starred Cena, was released in theaters earlier this year and “Knucklehead” is scheduled for release in 2010.

Jennifer Day, director of the New Orleans Office of Film and Video, said “Brother’s Keeper” is one of several film and TV projects shooting in and around New Orleans this winter. Others include the HBO television series “Treme,” the TNT television series pilot “Delta Blues” and the independent thriller “Hungry Rabbit Jumps.”

The Lifetime network movies “The Business of Falling in Love” with Hilary Duff and “Pregnancy Pact” just wrapped, she said.

Calloway said WWE will be back in Louisiana in the spring for the making of a coming of age film set in the 60s called “Big Red.”

Since 2002, more than $400 million in entertainment tax incentives have been awarded in Louisiana, and film and TV production expenditures since 2002 exceed $2 billion — including $200 million in payroll — according to state figures.