He’ll get his chance with the big screen adaptation of novelist Elizabeth Gilbert’s globe-trotting memoir, “Eat, Pray, Love.” Variety reports that he has joined star Julia Roberts in the self-discovery drama.
Roberts will play Gilbert, who decided that the cure for her depression — fed by a recent divorce and rebound romance — was to travel around Italy, Indonesia and India. “Eat” was the result of her global exploration and inner soul-searching… and naturally, she found a little real life romance too. That’s where Bardem comes in, as a fellow named Felipe who Gilbert meets and falls in love with on the final stage of her journey. Also along for the ride is Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins, who will play a Texan that Gilbert meets and befriends while hanging out at an Indian ashram.
Ryan Murphy (”Nip/Tuck”) will direct from his own screenplay. Roberts’ pal and frequent costar Brad Pitt is producing under his Plan B shingle, so the pretty woman will be in friendly hands. The film is set for a 2011 release.

source: mtv.com