Laurence Fishburne made his directorial debut with his upcoming movie Once in the Life, hitting for filmdom's version of the cycle: writing, directing, producing and starring. The screenplay is based on his critically praised one-act play Riff Raff, which he also wrote and directed. The play opened in 1994 and was Performed at New York's famed Circle Rep Theater.

Set for an October 27 release via Lions Gate Films, Once in the Life is a gritty, street smart drama with universal themes of brotherhood and friendship being both specific and timeless. It is a cautionary tale about a criminal who discovers that "once in the life, always in the life."

"This is a powerful, passionate urban drama and we are proud that Laurence has entrusted us with his 'baby,'" said Lions Gate Releasing co-president Mark Urman, who acquired the film with co-president Tom Ortenberg.

Fishburne and his pal Titus Welliver reprise their stage roles in the story of a drug heist gone bad and the fallout that eats away at the family and community. The cast also includes Eamonn Walker (HBO's Oz), Dominic Chianese Jr. (The Thomas Crown Affair), Paul Calderone (Girlfight), Annabella Sciorra and Gregory Hines.

Register for an early look at the movie's trailer.