Ryan Murphy to Direct "The Normal Heart" for HBO

(l to r) Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts, Ryan Murphy, Matt BomerPhotos: Getty

Great news for fans of Larry Kramer's groundbreaking 1985 play The Normal Heart! It's finally heading to the (small) screen. Ryan Murphy will direct, Larry Kramer himself is adapting the screenplay and Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, and Matt Bomer are attached to star.

Production starts later this year in NYC. The Normal Heart is about the terrifying and tragic early days of HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City. Ruffalo will play Ned Weeks, a gay New Yorker who watches while the mysterious new disease claims so many around him. Roberts plays the paraplegic physician who treats several of the earliest victims. Matt Bomer plays the reporter who becomes Neds lover.

We can't wait for this one. Are you as excited as we are?

Here's the full HBO press release...

JULIA ROBERTS AND MARK RUFFALO TO STAR IN HBO FILMS THE NORMAL HEART, DIRECTED BY RYAN MURPHY; LARRY KRAMER ADAPTS HIS TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAY; MATT BOMER CO-STARS; RYAN MURPHY, JASON BLUM, DEDE GARDNER AND DANTE DI LORETO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE

--------

Film Goes Into Production Later This Year For 2014 Debut

--------

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4, 2013 Academy Award winner Julia Roberts and Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo will star in the HBO Films drama THE NORMAL HEART, directed by Emmy winner Ryan Murphy (Eat Pray Love, Glee), it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Slated to begin production in New York City later this year for 2014 debut on HBO, the film is written by Larry Kramer, adapting his groundbreaking Tony Award-winning play of the same name.

We are so proud to be involved with this monumental project,! said Lombardo. Ryan has assembled an extraordinary cast to bring Larry Kramers landmark theatrical achievement to the screen for the first time, and we couldnt be more thrilled to bring this important film to HBO.

Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Jason Blum (the Paranormal Activity series, The Reader), Dede Gardner (The Tree of Life, Eat Pray Love) and Dante Di Loreto (Glee, HBOs Temple Grandin), THE NORMAL HEART tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nations sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fought to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city in denial.

Roberts plays Dr. Emma Brookner, the paraplegic physician who treats several of the earliest victims of the disease. Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand the mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers. Matt Bomer (White Collar, Magic Mike) plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Neds lover.

In 1981, writer Larry Kramer hosted a gathering of six gay men and their friends to discuss the gay cancer, and to talk about fundraising for research. This informal meeting in Kramers home would lead to the formation of Gay Mens Health Crisis, one of the first advocacy groups for HIV prevention and care.

Kramers play debuted at New Yorks Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.