A film adaptation is being made of the Tony winning play, A Normal Heart and has attracted some big stars who want to be in on the project. Julia Roberts and Alec Baldwin are in, and joining them is White Collar guy, Matt Bomer and Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons. This could be big…
The drama, which is said to be autobiographical, is written by Larry Kramer and tells the story of HIV/AIDS in New York in the 80s. Ryan Murphy, who is most known for his work on Glee, is also in on the project.
The play won the Tony for best revival last year, as well as best supporting actor and best supporting actress (for John Benjamin Hickey and Ellen Barkin, respectively). It also garnered nominations for best actor and best directing. It was originally staged Off-Broadway in 1985 and has seen several revivals in London and Los Angeles.
Murphy optioned the rights to the play last August and had Ruffallo attached as Ned Weeks, who is one of the first to raise an alarm when what was then known as “gay cancer” surfaces in New York.
I haven’t seen the play, but have heard a lot about it over the years, and am very excited to see how the film adaptation deals with the script, characters and translates the stage to the screen in this case. There is also huge star quality with the addition of Julia Roberts. She will be playing the role of Emma Brookner, a “wheel-chair bound doctor who is one of the only doctors in New York talking the new disease seriously”. If all goes to plan, I would guess that we will be looking to this film for awards come 2013 and beyond. The part of Emma, that Julia will be taking on, is the role that won Ellen Barkin the Tony award.
Alec Baldwin is going to be taking on the character of a lawyer struggling to come to terms with his brother’s sexuality. Matt Bomer’s character is a big step up from his work on White Collar – he will one of the lead characters that tragically contracts HIV.
We are looking at a play that won numerous Tony awards so it would come as no surprise to me if the film adaptation, if done well, is also an award winning project. They have a powerful cast so it is going to be very interesting….
Aww…the only reason I read this is because Jim Parsons was mentioned and it didn’t even say what he would be playing lol. I’m interested though, because I can’t imagine him as anyone other than Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. It will be neat to see how different he may be from what has kind of become an iconic role for him.
I hope they do a good job but I wish they would’ve just filmed the Broadway cast. They were brilliant. I can’t imagine anyone else in the roles.