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EXCLUSIVE: 127 Hours star James Franco is in discussions to play pornographer Chuck Traynor in a Linda Lovelace film that will be directed by his Howl helmers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Kate Hudson has the offer to play the title role in Lovelace, the W. Merritt Johnson-scripted adaptation of Eric Danville’s book The Complete Linda Lovelace.
Traynor was Lovelace’s husband and a pornographer when she starred in the notorious 1972 porn blockbuster Deep Throat. Later, when she quit the business, divorced Traynor and reclaimed her name Linda Boreman, she accused her ex of coercing her into prostitution and pornography through bullying, beatings and even hypnotism.
Epstein and Friedman unveiled the Franco-starrer Howl at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and the filmmakers have been trying to mount this film as their next project ever since. Franco is not a certainty because his schedule is so busy. Franco, who finds out tomorrow morning if he’ll be a Best Actor nominee, is hosting the Oscarcast with Anne Hathaway. He’s unveiled plans to direct two movies, and he’s joining Nicole Kidman on Broadway this fall in the David Cromer-directed Sweet Bird. All this makes the Traynor role uncertain, but Franco is certainly in discussions. The CAA-repped Franco next stars in the Fox tentpole Rise of the Apes.
That’s not the only Lovelace project in the works. Malin Akerman is attached to star in Inferno: A Linda Lovelace Story, which Matthew Wilder will direct from the script he wrote, which made the 2008 Black List. The project is based on Ordeal: An Autobiography by Linda Lovelace with Mike McGrady. The producers include Chris Hanley of Muse Productions and Jordan Gertner.
Both projects are struggling to find funding.
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Am I the only person who thinks this guy is getting way too much thrown at him? Are things that bad in Hollywood that James Franco is the only person worth giving all this too? The Oscars, directing, starring in all these movies? Am I missing something? Every time I see him he gets smarmier and smarmier looking. The only character he plays are what he is, a slacker. I mean, come on?
Franco is many things–an a-hole even. But a slacker–he is not. If you’re going to hate on someone, at least be honest.
Slacker? The dude has like seven degrees and is currently working on his PhD at Yale while attending RISD and acting constantly. If only we could all slack off like Franco.
Peggy, you clearly are ignorant and jealous that Franco is have all this success and all you doing is blogging about it at 10:53 PM. You argument was valid until you said all he plays is a slacker because thats what he is. Maybe you should watch more of his films 127 Hours, James Dean, etc. Also I don’t think slackers take 62 College credits in one quarter explain that one to me. So Peggy go pout.
So how can he be a slacker when he’s having “too much” on his plate? The guy has earned four master’s degrees in the last two years on top of all he’s doing, and his profs at all the schools say he’s legitimately earning the work, other students back it up too. If he’s anything, he’s not a slacker. I say kudos to someone who wants to embrace life on such an epic scale. What are YOU doing with YOUR life and career? Other than tearing down others, that is.
“Slacker”? Really? You don’t have to like the guy or think he’s a great actor, but doing some research might be useful. This is from his wikipedia entry (corroborated in a number of other outlets):
“Franco reportedly has “an unusually high metabolism for productivity…a superhuman ability to focus”. Dissatisfied with his career’s direction, Franco reenrolled at UCLA in the fall of 2006 as an English major with a creative writing concentration. Having received permission to take as many as 62 course credits per quarter compared to the normal limit of 19 while continuing to act, he received his undergraduate degree in June 2008 with a GPA over 3.5. For his degree, Franco prepared his departmental honors thesis as a novel under the supervision of Mona Simpson. He moved to New York to simultaneously attend graduate school at Columbia University’s MFA writing program, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for filmmaking, and Brooklyn College for fiction writing, while occasionally commuting to North Carolina’s Warren Wilson College for poetry. As of 2010, Franco is a PhD student in English at Yale University and will also attend the Rhode Island School of Design.”
The article goes on to list other projects, but it doesn’t include the long list of directorial, screenwriting and acting projects he’s been taking on.
Just think it’s a good idea to be thorough. Wouldn’t want to find myself making lazy (slacker-esque?) comments.
PLEEZE,
I was at Columbia when he was sleeping his way through classes. And when he cries his tears fill empty wells in THE SUDAN.
Kate Hudson and Malin Akerman?! As Linda Lovelace? Really?
So there are TWO projects about Linda Lovelace – I will leave the WTF? aspect of that to historians – and BOTH of them got the casting wrong?
Say what you will about her personal and professional problems, both of which would’ve prevented it from ever happening, but Lindsay Lohan would’ve been a terrific choice. Certainly better than these two.
I was wondering the same thing. So is this a different production then the one that signed Malin Akerman as Lovelace, after backing out on Lohan?
I hope Kate doesn’t do this. Pornographers are icky and movies about pornographers are icky. Don’t do it, Kate!
Is there an audience for films on this topic? I seriously doubt it.
Isn’t James Franco’s next film “Your Highness” in April?
Kate Hudson? as Lovelace?… Oh hell no! Courtney Love, baby! Franco?…well…kinda…maybe…
Deep Throat remains the most profitable movie in history.Based on its micro-budget and all its revenue adjusted for inflation it’s brought in more dollars than anything ever including Gone with the Wind, Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Titanic, Avatar and so on. Adjust all of them for inflation and based on what they cost and all revenue streams they’ve brought in Deep Throat is still more profitable on a percentage basis.
I would love to see James Franco in this. I think he’s a pretty good actor, but honestly Kate Hudson? What ever happened to Lindsey Lohan? I think she could do wonders for the role and her career itself
these gals are so wrong for the part
find someone else
Kate hudson too white bread
not edgy wrong and boring
Yes you just know Lindsay would’ve nailed this role, shame she’s out of the loop
James Franco is great, he is so much more than a “slacker”. He’ll keep surprising us, wait and see
This idea couldn’t be less appealing. Strictly from a financial POV, it’s a total loser. No Linda Lovelace pix!
Bad idea. The “Linda Lovelace” name will always be associated with that loser Lindsay Lohan. After she was screaming that name every day for months it’s hard to think of Linda Lovelace as person. She is just that chick that Lohan wanted to play.
Lindsay Lohan would, of course, be the ultimate Linda L, but she is un-insurable. She single-handedly destroyed her career and it will take a long time, if ever, for her to be trusted, not only by producers & directors, but the banks & completion bond companies that insure the film’s delivery. Too bad.
Please lets never mention Lindsay Lohan again for 2011
Peggy I speak for most when I say “you’re an idiot” do some research before assuming James Franco is a “slacker”. He has done so much and accomplished many things which I doubt you have considering your ignorant comment.
Ugh. No one with any talent or self-respect should star opposite Kate Hudson…unless they really need the money/career boost. Franco does not. Move along, sir.
I love Franco but anyone who touches a Linda Lovelace bio pic deserves to be fail and be drummed out of show business. A terrible idea, no matter who is in it.