James Franco is in talks to cameo as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in new indie film LOVELACE. If the talks turn out to be successful, Franco will be expected on set for a single day, as his role of Hefner only includes a couple of scenes in the movie.
The RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES and 127 HOURS star was initially destined for the role of the male lead Chuck Traynor, the husband of porn star Linda Lovelace, around which the film revolves.
Set in the time of the sexual revolution and the feminist movement, the Andy Bellin-written LOVELACE follows to story of Linda Boreman, who became known as Linda Lovelace, the world’s first erotic superstar, after the success of her film DEEP THROAT.
Other members of the cast include Hank Azaria, Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth and Robert Patrick.
Seyfried is set to play Lovelace, who later claimed her husband Traynor (Sarsgaard) forced her into her pornographic career. Azaria will play the writer-director of DEEP THROAT, Jerry Damiano, who prides himself on making a porn movie with a story and substance. Cannavale and Noth will play DEEP THROAT financiers Butchie Peraino and Anthony Romano, while Patrick is set in the role of Linda’s father John Boreman.
Franco’s scenes as Hefner will include Linda and Chuck’s visit to the Playboy Mansion for a screening of DEEP THROAT and his heart-to-heart talk with Linda about her future.
The star-studded cast will also include Sharon Stone, Juno Temple and Wes Bentley as Linda’s mother, best friend and second husband respectively. The production of the movie began yesterday in Los Angeles and will be made in cooperation with Lovelace’s estate.
Source: Variety
