James Franco

James Franco In Linda Lovelace Film

Insiders say that actor James Franco, 33, is in negotiations to play Hugh Hefner in the Linda Lovelace biography with Lovelace as the current title.

Almost a year ago there was a rumor that Franco would be starring as the husband/producer/pornographer of the late Linda Lovelace – Chuck Traynor.

Now the word is that Franco will assume a much smaller role as the infamous Hef who is the Playboy founder.  The filmmakers are Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman who Franco worked with on Howl.

Peter Sarsgaard is said to be taking on the role of Chuck Traynor with the Linda Lovelace role be played by Amanda Seyfried.

Franco’s part in the film is said to be relatively small and limited to just one scene which will be shot in a single day. 

Amanda Seyfried

Franco’s scene will be the one that sees Hefner welcoming Lovelace and her husband to the Playboy Mansion for a screening of her famous film “Deep Throat.”  The “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” actor will bring a unique perspective on Hefner to the film.

“Lovelace” will be based on Eric Danville’s “The Complete Linda Lovelace”, a biography published in 2001, a year before the iconic star died. Lovelace was just a schoolgirl in Florida before she met and married Traynor, who transformed her into the world’s most famous porn star.

She is famously known for starring in a 1972 hardcore porn movie “Deep Throat”, which was one of the highest grossing independent films of all time.

Amanda Seyfried is being joined by Hank Azaria who will play “Deep Throat” helmer Jerry Damiano, Bobby Cannavale and Chris Noth who will star as the porn film’s financial backers Butchie Peraino and Anthony Romano respectively, as well as Robert Patrick who will portray Lovelace’s father John Boreman who is ashamed of his daughter’s fame.

The production of the movie is set to begin this week in Los Angeles. The film is also supported by other notable stars including Sharon Stone as Lovelace’s mother, Juno Temple as her best friend, and Wes Bentley as her second husband.