Paul Giamatti joins Julian Fellowes's 'Romeo and Juliet'

Paul Giamatti has joined the cast of Carlo Carlei's upcoming Romeo and Juliet adaptation.

The Ides of March star plays Friar Lawrence in the film, which has been penned by Downton Abbey writer Julian Fellowes, Variety reports.

True Grit's Hailee Steinfeld has been cast as Juliet and Douglas Booth as Romeo.

Steinfeld replaced Lily Collins, who had previously been reported as signing for the role.

Director Carlei confirmed last summer that "all nudity and lovemaking have been exercised from [Fellowes's] script" after the then-14-year-old Steinfeld was cast.

Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick plays Juliet's cousin Tybalt and The Road's Kodi Smit-McPhee will play Romeo's cousin Benvolio.

Filming starts next month in the northern Italian city of Mantua and at Rome's Cinecitta Studios.