Julia Roberts & Mark Ruffalo to star in HBO movie ‘The Normal Heart", directed by Ryan Murphy

Ryan Murphy is teaming up with HBO to bring his newest idea to television, this time, in the form of an HBO drama film called “The Normal Heart”, in 2014. “The Normal Heart” will be adapted from the play of the same name by Larry Kramer and production will begin in New York City later this year.

“The Normal Heart” tells the story of the sudden and tragic onset of the HIV-AIDS virus in New York City in the 1980’s. So far, Murphy and HBO have lined up Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo to star in the film. Roberts will play Dr. Emma Brookner, a paraplegic physician who is on the frontline of some of the first cases and earliest victims of the disease. Ruffalo will play Ned Weeks, a man who is a firsthand witness to the fast spreading and mysterious disease claiming the lives of so many innocent people. Matt Bomer is also slated to star in the film, and he will portray a reporter who becomes Ned’s (Ruffalo) lover.

“The Normal Heart” debuted as a play at the New York Public Theatre in 1985 and has since been revived in Los Angeles, London and off-Broadway. “The Normal Heart” earned a Tony award for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress in 2011.