HBO will air Ryan Murphy's adaptation of Larry Kramer's play "The Normal Heart" in 2014, the network announced.
The project will star Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo, who were also attached to the project when it was previously planned for a theatrical release. Murphy also directed Roberts in "Eat Pray Love." Matt Bomer will co-star.
Kramer is adapting his own Tony Award-winning play, which chronicles the early days of the AIDS crisis in New York City. The film will go into production later this year.
"We are so proud to be involved with this monumental project,” said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming. "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.”
The film will be executive produced by Murphy, Jason Blum (the “Paranormal Activity” series, “The Reader”), Dede Gardner (“The Tree of Life,” “Eat Pray Love”) and Dante Di Loreto (“Glee,” “Temple Grandin”).
Roberts plays Dr. Emma Brookner, a paraplegic physician who treats early victims of the disease. Ruffalo plays Ned Weeks, who seeks answers about the epidemic. Matt Bomer (“White Collar”) plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned’s lover.
