James Franco to Star in Cherry With Heather Graham and Dev Patel

by Shannon Vestal 2

One of my favorite actors is turning to porn: James Franco is in talks to star in Cherry, an indie drama about the adult film industry. The movie follows a young girl (who hasn't been cast yet) who moves to San Francisco and gets pulled into the world of porn, and Franco will play a lawyer with a cocaine addiction with whom she becomes involved. Lili Taylor will play her alcoholic mother, Dev Patel will be the best friend who is in love with her, and Heather Graham's part hearkens back to her Boogie Nights role; she's a former porn star turned director.

Cherry is the directorial debut by author Stephen Elliott, who already has a Franco connection: the actor will star in and direct the film adaptation of Elliott's book The Adderall Diaries.