Josh Hartnett To Channel Tom Cruise In West End 'Rain Man'

By Access HollywoodJuly 2, 2008, 10:43 am PDT

LONDON, U.K. -- Josh Hartnett will make his professional stage debut, stepping into the shoes of Tom Cruise for the role of Charlie Babbit in "Rain Man," according to the BBC.

Hartnett, 29, will star in the London West End version of the Oscar-winning film when it bows in September.

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"It has always been my intent to work on the London stage," Hartnett said.

The play will also star British actor Adam Godley ("Love Actually;" "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory;" "The X-Files: I Want To Believe") as Charlie's autistic brother, Raymond - a role made famous by Dustin Hoffman in the 1988 film.

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Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond earned him the Oscar for best actor. The movie also took home the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director (Barry Levinson) and Best Original Sceenplay.

According to the BBC, Hartnett decided to make the leap to the stage when he read the "complex and charismatic character" of Charlie Babbit.

[ All Access: Movies - Casting Call - Tom Cruise ]

On the big screen, Hartnett was last seen in the 2007 vampire thriller "30 Days of Night."

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comments

  • INVISIBLE REALM
    "Some people are not autistic,they just don't hear very well, prefer the routine type of life 24 hours a day,or a more simple routined oriented type of life not at all like Forest Gump,or Raymond in RAIN MAN . Some have other health problems, learning , or reading disabilities like Tom had when he was younger that can make them look, or act autistic somewhat ! Geniuses can be part
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 4:09 pm PDT
  • Ruby T
    He will make an excellent retard. GAWD they R both so freakin' NASTY!
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 1:25 pm PDT
  • INVISIBLE REALM
    "In ways people may have thought i was autistic when a loud truck horn stunned & shocked my ears when Tom Cruise tried to talk to me at Breeze-In out in the Mendenhal Valley in Juneau,Alaska . I did not hear a word he said,and was not in the mood to talk anyways that day,but one should not underestimate the invisibility of the realm,tenfold ! Hard of hearing at times anyways !
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 12:00 pm PDT
  • shimai
    I AM SICK AND TIRED OF OLD TV SHOWS TURNING INTO MOVIES, MOVIES TURNING INTO TV SHOWS DOES HOLLYOOD HAVE NO SENSE OF IMAGENATION!!!? I MEAN CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG BUT IN THIS NEW SO CALLED "ERA" WE CAN'T SEEM TO LET GO THE PAST!!
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 11:26 am PDT
  • jessica c
    will u people stop advertising ur porn sites. no1 wants to %@!*# u so give it up. not all of us are that desperate to get laid.
    report abuseposted July 2, 2008, 11:17 am PDT

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