April 10, 2012 | The Biz

Joey Stefano's life on the big screen

A new biopic is set to start production this summer, and writer/director Chad Darnell says it will focus on porn legend Joey Stefano's life. The film will look at his work in porn, his struggle with drugs and his relationship with director Chi Chi LaRue.

"I worked as a casting director at Central Casting when I first moved to L.A. and every day I saw a lot of Joey Stefanos come through the doors," Darnell said. "Kids wanting to be famous and then discovering drugs as a way to cope with the lives they created for themselves.

"I watched a few of them die. I watched a few of them go on to be some of the biggest stars in the business. You never know what cards you're going to get dealt."

Darnell has worked behind the scenes, mostly as a casting agent for extras. This will be his first feature film, and he said the script was based upon interviews with the surviving members of Stefano's circle of friends: Sharon Kane, Mickey Skee, Chris Green and LaRue.

"I was fascinated by their journeys," Darnell said. "Especially Chi Chi, who had a love for someone who could not love him back. I really identified with that. He became one of the biggest producers and directors in the industry, became one of the loudest voices for safe sex in the community, and continues to shape and carve and grow. He's someone who has survived."

Several of the main roles for The Porn Brat Pack have already been filled.  Missi Pyle (from The Artist) will play Sharon Kane, Willam Belli (Neighborhood Watch) has been cast as Karen Dior, and Ryan O'Connor (Away) has won the role of LaRue. The film's Joey Stefano has yet to be cast.

Stefano still has a huge fan base in porn, but died in 1994 of a drug overdose. He was only 26.