James Franco in talks to play Hugh Hefner

James Franco might cameo as Playboy founder and generally creepy person Hugh Hefner in the upcoming Linda Lovelace biopic Lovelace.

According to Variety, Franco is merely in talks for the part, though it helps directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman had previously recruited him to play Allen Ginsberg in their indie drama Howl.

Amanda Seyfried is set to star as the eponymous (and notorious) star of Deep Throat, while Peter Sarsgaard is attached to play her hubby/pornographer Chuck Traynor (a role for which, ironically, Franco was considered).

Hank Azaria, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth and Robert Patrick will also star in the pic.

The script for Lovelace is based on Eric Danville’s book The Complete Linda Lovelace. Shooting begins in January.

Lovelace completists can also look forward to her other biopic, Inferno, starring Malin Akerman (who replaced Lindsay Lohan). Neither film has a release date.

Discuss: Can you see Franco as Hef?