Confirmed! Julia Roberts & Mark Ruffalo to Star in THE NORMAL HEART for HBO; Directed by Ryan Murphy for 2014

[SNAFU]

I will join the chorus of people who think Roberts is a wrong casting choice for this role. It's too bad IMHO.

[Mildred Plotka]

I'd think her presence would be less necessary now that it's on HBO, but I'm sure the possibility of an Emmy kept her attached.

[faithzilla]

I have a feeling Murphy may surprise people. It's not his original creation (nor a series requiring long-term consistency) and he seems very passionate about the project.

That may help. But supposedly Running with Scissors is awful, so...

(I'm not counting Eat Pray Love because I'm not sure that would ever have made a good movie anyways)

[luvtheEmcee]

Murphy does seem really passionate about the project (and he'd better be), but I wish I could feel like that was enough.

[FindingNamo]

It just won't capture that Broadway magic unless Larry Kramer comes to your house to personally harangue you as you try to read the end credits.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Oh, Murphy's gonna Tweet at people to make up for that!

[Roscoe]

I'd be more okay with Julia Roberts if someone other than Ryan Murphy was directing. This project requires more than the slick surface glitter Murphy's known for. NIP/TUCK and GLEE this ain't.

We'll see, of course.

[luvtheEmcee]

It just won't capture that Broadway magic unless Larry Kramer comes to your house to personally harangue you as you try to read the end credits.

They could always have a little pop-up Larry Kramer yell at you at the end. Or, if you're me, sing you a song while you try with all your might not to cry at him.

[EricMontreal22]

Yeah Running with Scissors had material that (whatever the truth behind it) seemed tailor made to Murphy's good points, had a great cast, and was absolutely *awful*. Completely inept.

[ChanceEncounter]

I can't properly express the apathy i feel about this news.

[Kad]

"Murphy does seem really passionate about the project (and he'd better be), but I wish I could feel like that was enough."

Sadly, passion does not equal ability.

[Shakeshafte]

There are so many other actresses that would be a better fit than Julia Roberts for this. So many. Ugh.

[luvtheEmcee]

Kad, that's what I was saying. If passion translated to ability, I could direct this film.