Philip Seymour Hoffman to Join Streep for Doubt Film

According to Variety, Philip Seymour Hoffman has been cast opposite Meryl Streep in the upcoming big screen adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt.

With a screenplay and direction by Shanley (who won an Oscar for his Moonstruck screenplay), the film will be produced by Scott Rudin for Miramax.  Shooting will likely in New York on December 1st.

Streep will play the role of Sister Aloysius, originated by Cherry Jones (who currently stars in Doubt's national tour).  Hoffman will play Father Flynn, originated by Brian F. O'Byrne on Broadway.

Hoffman, who is the co-artistic director of the Labyrinth Theatre Company, currently stars in Jack Goes Boating.  He is a Tony-nominee for his performance in Long Day's Journey Into Night and has also appeared on Broadway in True West.  An Oscar-winner for Capote, he also directed the Stephen Adly Guirgis plays Jesus Hopped the A Train, Our Lady of 121st Street, and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.  Other film credits include Cold Mountain, Almost Famous, The 25th Hour, The Big Lebowski, and Magnolia.

Shanley previously stated that there would be considerable filming on location for the movie version of the play, which is set in a Bronx parochial school.  While the play only featured four actors, the film's cast will be expanded to include the black student who has reputedly been sexually abused by Father Flynn.  Other students will also feature as minor characters.

"Set against the backdrop of a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, the show is the story of a strong-minded woman faced with a difficult decision. Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues…even if she's not entirely certain of the truth?," stated press notes for the show's Broadway run.

Doubt opened on Broadway on March 9th, 2005 and ran through July 2nd, 2006; it had originally played a hit run at Manhattan Theatre Club.  With a Tony-winning performances by Cherry Jones and Adriane Lenox, and Tony-nominated work by Brian F. O'Byrne, the show won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Play in addition to the Pulitzer Prize.  Doug Hughes won a Tony for directing the play.

Photo of Philip Seymour Hoffman by Mark Rupp

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