HBO Hears "The Normal Heart" Beat

The Live Feed reports that the film adaptation of Larry Kramer's semi-autobiographical play "The Normal Heart" will go directly to HBO rather than going theattical as planned.

Kramer adapted the script which takes place during the rise of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 80's.

Mark Ruffalo will star as Ned Weeks the gay Jewish founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group who prefers loud and visible action over the quieter, less visible strategies advocated by his friends.

Julia Roberts, will play Emma Brookner, a wheel-chair bound doctor who is one of the only doctors in New York talking the new disease seriously. Alec Baldwin is Weeks’ lawyer brother, who’s having a hard time dealing with his sibling’s sexuality; Jim Parsons has been cast in the role of a Southererner who is a gay activist and part of a gay men’s health crisis group; and Matt Bomer is Felix Turner, a gay fashion journalist who becomes Week’s boyfriend and tragically contracts the disease.

Glee creator and Roberts "Eat Pray Love" helmer Ryan Murphy will call action and produce the film with Brad Pitt.

Production kicks off shortly to premiere on the network next year.