Orlando Bloom Broadway Debut Rumored for ‘Romeo & Juliet’

Orlando Bloom may be heading to Broadway in a new adaptation of the classic Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet,” sources indicate.

The Sun reports that an anonymous source has revealed that the British actor will head to New York and will play the leading male role in the play for “at least 12 months.” The source also reports that Bloom currently is wrapping up two feature film roles, “Cities” and “Zulu.”

An Equity audition notice posted in July indicated that “Romeo and Juliet” may be headed back to the stage in the near future. The notice indicated that a “2013 production will be on Broadway or a tour (TBD),” but included little other information.

The classic tragedy has not been on Broadway since a 1986 production at the Belasco Theatre along with “As You Like It” and “Macbeth.” However, a one-night only benefit reading recently was held and starred Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline in the leading roles. The last time the play was on Broadway alone was at the Circle in the Square Theatre in 1977.

Bloom is best known for his work in films such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” He made his professional stage debut in 2007 at the Duke of York’s Theatre in West End as part of “In Celebration.” Other films he’s appeared in include “Elizabethtown,” “Troy,” “Three Musketeers,” “Black Hawk Down” and “Kingdom of Heaven.”

Of course, “Romeo and Juliet” is the tale of young, star-crossed lovers with feuding families. The play is one of the most popular Shakespeare plays, and one of the most performed along with “Hamlet.”

A new film version the play is expected to be released early next year, and will star Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet and Douglas Booth as Romeo. The film is directed by Carlo Carlei.