Ryan Murphy's adaptation of "The Normal Heart" is heading to HBO. The film, which stars Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo and Matt Bomer, will air in 2014.
"We are so proud to be involved with this monumental project,” HBO's Michael Lombardo said in a statement. “Ryan has assembled an extraordinary cast to bring Larry Kramer’s landmark theatrical achievement to the screen for the first time, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this important film to HBO.”
Murphy will direct and executive produce the movie based on Larry Kramer's '80s play. Jason Blum, Dede Gardner and Dante Di Loreto will also serve as executive producers. The movie is set in New York City in the '80s during the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis.
Roberts will play Dr. Emma Brookner, the paraplegic physician who treats several of the earliest victims of the disease. Ruffalo will take on the role of Ned Weeks, "who witnesses first-hand the mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers." "White Collar" star Matt Bomer will play Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned’s lover.
The project has been in development for some time. In January 2012, Roberts and Alec Baldwin were attached to the project.
