James Franco to Play Twins in HBO Porn Drama 'The Deuce'

As if one James Franco is not enough, the "Pineapple Express" star is set to play twin mobsters that control the budding sex industry around Times Square in the 1970s and '80s.

The new HBO series, headed by "The Wire" creator David Simon, is called "The Deuce" and nicknamed after 42^nd Street.

According The Hollywood Reporter, viewers can expect to see "the rough-and-tumble world that existed in midtown Manhattan until the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market all ended the bawdy turbulence."

Franco will play twin brothers, "who were players in the Times Square world and became fronts for Mob control of the volatile and lucrative sex industry from its origins."

HBO's Programming President Michael Lombardo seems to be excited about the upcoming show, as he commented on the impressive 17-year relationship HBO has had with Simon.

"We are thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with preeminent producer David Simon, whose keen eye and visceral perspective on today's socio-economic ills have set him apart from all others," he said. "No one else creates with such authenticity, integrity and brilliant realism. We are so fortunate to support David's efforts and to reap the benefits of his distinctive voice."

The new porn drama will be directed by Michella MacLaren ("Breaking Bad"). Writer and collaborater of "The Wire" George Pelecanos will also assist on the project.

However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in June, Simon and Pelecanos admitted to being a bit wary of taking on the series.

"George and I looked at each other and said, 'I don't wanna make a porn show," said Simon. "I'm married with kids and lawn furniture. I don't want to go there, man. That's dark."

The duo later confessed to being intrigued by the story as a whole. "We're interested in what it means when profit is the primary metric for what we call society," Simon continued. "It's about a product, and those human beings who created, sold, profited from and suffered with that product."

"Porn, prostitution, pimps, the Mob, after-hours nightlife, institutional corruption, and New York in its Wild West heyday...it's a world rich in character, and a fascinating story we're eager to tell," Pelecanos added. 

"The Deuce" is scheduled to begin production in New York City in October.