Jenna Jameson: Casting Call
By Bob Preston
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
LOS ANGELES — Adult superstar Jenna Jameson said that a film based on her life is still a go. Jameson herself has recommended curvy movie star Scarlett Johansson to play the title role, but the Hollywood star's camp says she has no interest. So, who will play Jameson and everyone else in her life?
• First, the news: Jameson told gossip blog Hollywood Rag that despite kooky, botched-vaginoplasty rumors to the contrary, her movie is still a go:
"I'm happy to say that negotiations to produce the film version of my New York Times best-selling book, How to Make Love Like a Porn Star, are very much alive," she said. "Bringing my autobiography to the big screen would be the ultimate fulfillment of a dream, and I take all business dealings very seriously. I look forward to making an announcement when we have a deal to discuss."
A spokesperson for Club Jenna confirmed that the movie is still on.
The botched vaginoplasty rumor apparently originated at the New York Daily News. Jameson's agent, Mike Esterman, told Hollywood Rag he didn't know anything about the supposed surgery.
• Unfortunately for Johansson fans out there, her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, told XFANZ via email that she has no interest in playing the adult biz legend.
"There have been no discussions regarding the Jenna biopic," he said. "I think this is a one-sided wish by Jenna."
But here's some good news: Pariseau also shot down another rumor about Johansson having a no-nudity clause in her contract. Pariseau said she has no such clause.
• So if we assume that Johansson is out, who would be left to play Jameson? Furthermore, who would play some of the other important people in her life? I polled some of the XFANZ staff. Let's go character by character:
Jenna Jameson
My personal choice is Helen Slater, star of the schlocky superhero classic Supergirl and red-meat movie The Legend of Billie Jean. Slater is a folk singer now (for some reason), but she still has a blonde bombshell lurking underneath her sexy crow's feet. I also think she's one of the few actors who could pull off both the past and present incarnations of Jameson.
Adult industry writer and blogger Tod Hunter just joined the XFANZ team, and he had his own ideas for Jameson.
"Too bad Anna Nicole Smith died," Hunter said. "Alicia Witt has that girl-next-door thing going for her, with an undercurrent of intelligence like Jenna, but she may not be willing to let that red hair go. Thora Birch could also pull it off, with the added frisson that her mother was a porn performer -- the way-busty blonde Carol Connors, who was in Deep Throat."
Ron Jeremy
I realize that Jeremy might not be the biggest player in Jameson's life, but what self-respecting movie about the adult industry would omit the Hedgehog?
XFANZ Managing Director Alan Hawkins had the inspired idea to cast Drew Carey as Ron Jeremy. Carey has the requisite comedic flair to play the always-in-character Jeremy, as well as the range to capture his everpresent self-disappointment.
Steve Hirsch, Co-Chairman of Vivid
Steven Hirsch is one of the chiefs over at adult powerhouse Vivid Entertainment. Vivid wasn't the first studio to sign Jameson as a contract star -- that honor goes to Wicked Pictures -- but Jameson remains a de facto Vivid girl for life.
Tod Hunter suggested someone powerful to play Hirsch.
"The guy to play Steve Hirsch would be Vince McMahon, as soon as McMahon's hair grows back," he said. "Same pompadour, same feeling of gravitas. Each one gives the impression that he is aware of the entire environment, not just the conversation he's having at the time."
XFANZ writer Steven Andrew suggested another brawny talent to play the studio head: Entourage star Jeremy Piven, but Andrew hastened to add that he would want Piven to play the role right in between Entourage-style bombast and the straightforward demeanor he brought to his character in Grosse Pointe Blank.
Steve Orenstein, President of Wicked Pictures
Remember that first exclusive contract Jameson signed? Wicked Pictures head man Steve Orenstein made that happen. Steven Andrew knew just who to cast.
"Paul Giamatti," he said. "The award-winning actor is frequently cast in nebbishy roles, so playing the soft-spoken Orenstein, a Jew from Brooklyn, would be right in his wheelhouse. Giamatti would be the perfect choice to play the nuanced role of Jameson's first porn godfather. Orenstein signed Jameson to her first exclusive contract, and she was instrumental in Wicked's early success."
Joy King
If Orenstein was Jameson's porn godfather, then King was Jameson's porn fairy godmother. Early in Jameson's career, King was the star's director of special projects -- a gig that made her a manager, publicist, confidant and friend.
Tod Hunter suggested a Saturday Night Live babe to play the intrepid King.
"Tina Fey," he said. "They're both pretty, they're both smart, and they're both quick on their feet. But we're going to have slap a blond wig on Tina to complete the picture."
