Jim Parsons and Taylor Kitsch have
joined the film adaptation of The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer's
Tony-winning AIDS play.
DeadlineHollywood.com
reported that Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) and Kitsch (Friday
Night Lights) will co-star opposite Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo
and Matt Bomer in the upcoming Ryan Murphy-directed film for HBO.
Parsons will reprise his role of gay
activist Tommy Boatwright from the 2011 Broadway production. Kitsch will play
Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent
AIDS activist.
As previously reported, Ruffalo – a
co-star of the 2010 lesbian moms flick The Kids Are Alright –
will tackle his first gay role playing Ned Weeks, the hero of
Kramer's play about the early days of the AIDS pandemic. And Roberts
has been cast to play the role of Dr. Emma Brookner, the only doctor
in New York City taking the disease seriously.
White Collar star Matt Bomer
will also play gay in the film, taking on the role of gay fashion
journalist Felix Turner, who later becomes Weeks' boyfriend.
Production is slated to begin in New
York City later this year for a 2014 debut on HBO.