Giamatti Joins Friar's Club In Romeo & Juliet

Paul Giamatti has joined the cast of the latest adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" in the role of the mentor-like Friar Lawrence says Variety.

Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth have been cast as Romeo and Juliet, and Holly Hunter will play the Nurse. Kodi Smit-McPhee is tapped to play Romeo's cousin Benvolio Tybalt will be played by Gossip Girl guy Ed Westwick

Because Steinfeld is only 14-years-old, the infamous sex scene has been cut from the script.

Carlo Carlei will direct from a screenplay by Julian Fellowes who is also producing with Gabriele Muccino, Ileen Maisel and Mark Ordesky.

Production starts next month in Italy