We’ve been hearing this rumor since the early 1990’s involving Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. Here it is again but with different players.

from www.variety.com – Rob Epstein [pictured] and Jeffrey Friedman have lined up indie biopic “Lovelace” as their second directing gig, just before the premiere of “Howl” — which the duo wrote and directed — at Sundance.

“Lovelace,” written by W. Merritt Johnson (“Temple Grandin,” “In Treatment”), draws from Eric Danville’s bio “The Complete Linda Lovelace” and follows Linda Boreman’s rise to fame as iconic porn star Linda Lovelace of 1972’s “Deep Throat,” www.xxxdeepthroat.com and her subsequent transformation into feminist, anti-porn activist Linda Marchiano. Story’s told through the perspective of three interviewers at various stages of her life.

Producers are Laura Rister at Untitled Entertainment, Jim Young at Animus Films and Heidi Jo Markel at Eclectic Pictures. Johnson will exec produce.

Producers are in negotiations with Nu Image to finance “Lovelace” and are planning to shoot later this year.

Lovelace was the subject of 2005 documentary “Inside Deep Throat,” produced by Imagine, World of Wonder Prods. and HBO.

Linda is this fascinating character who continually reinvented herself and her story based on changing circumstances,” said Epstein. “It’s a story with great dramatic and psychological dimensions.”

“Howl” was set to have its world premiere Thursday night to kick off the Sundance fest. Pic stars James Franco as beat poet Allen Ginsberg, and co-stars Jon Hamm, Jeff Daniels and David Strathairn.

Epstein received the documentary Oscar for “The Life and Times of Harvey Milk.” The team then won an Oscar for “Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt.”

Epstein and Friedman are represented by WME and Principato Young. Johnson is repped by Leverage.