HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Actor James Franco is in talks to play a cameo role as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in the independent biopic “Lovelace” that began shooting in Los Angeles today.
Franco was initially tapped to play the lead role of adult star Linda Lovelace’s (real name Linda Boreman) husband Chuck Traynor. Instead he’s got the lead in another porn biopic, "Cherry," about a drug-addicted lawyer who gets caught up in the adult world.
According to Variety, in his new role, porn-enamored Franco (he is also directing a documentary on Kink.com) will be on set for only a single day and his appearance as Hefner will be limited.
His scenes will include him portraying Hefner welcoming Lovelace and Traynor to the Playboy Mansion for a screening of "Deep Throat." He then has a heart-to-heart talk with Lovelace about her future.
Lovelace is being played by actress Amanda Seyfried and Traynor is being played by Peter Sarsgaard.
The movie also co-stars Hank Azaria and Chris Noth.
