Akiva Goldsman has already locked in most of the primary cast for his directorial debut Winter’s Tale, but is bolstering the line-up with Matt Bomer, Lucy Griffiths and the legendary Hitchcock veteran Eva Marie Saint.

Tale, adapted by Goldsman himself from Mark Helprin’s novel, follows what happens when a thief (Colin Farrell) breaks into a mansion in Manhattan and falls for the dying young woman (Jessica Brown Findlay) he finds there. But that’s just one aspect of the book, which flits between 19th Century New York and the present day.

Also on board are William Hurt, Russell Crowe and Will Smith, though the latter two will take on smaller roles as a favour to Goldsman.

Bomer and Griffiths are set to play Farrell’s parents (in flashback, naturally, given their ages), while Saint’s role is being kept shrouded in mystery for now. Goldsman aims to kick off filming next month.

Bomer, who is usually found in US TV drama White Collar, enjoyed success this summer as one the strippers in Magic Mike. Griffiths, who has mostly been known for Robin Hood and Collision over here, appeared in the most recent season of True Blood. She’ll also crop up in The Numbers Station. Saint, meanwhile, has largely retired from acting recently, though she did appear in Superman Returns back in 2006.