Javier Bardem to 'Eat' with Julia Roberts

Javier Bardem is negotiating to star in "Eat, Pray, Love," the Ryan Murphy-directed adaptation of the Elizabeth Gilbert memoir for Columbia Pictures.

Bardem joins Julia Roberts and Richard Jenkins in the cast.

Roberts plays the author, and Bardem will play Felipe, the man Gilbert meets and falls in love with on the final leg of a journey of self-discovery that began with the end of her marriage.

Richard Jenkins plays a Texan whom the heroine befriends at an Indian ashram.

Pic was adapted by Murphy, the "Nip/Tuck" creator who last helmed "Running With Scissors."

Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner are producing through Plan B.

Bardem, last seen in the Woody Allen-directed "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," most recently starred for director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu in "Biutiful" for Cha Cha Cha and Focus Features.