Tom Hanks to play Mr Rogers in new Biopic called You are my Friend
 

http://variety.com/2018/film/news/to...ar-1202676746/



TriStar Pictures has landed worldwide distribution rights to the Mr. Rogers biopic “You Are My Friend,” with Tom Hanks attached to play the iconic TV personality.

“Diary of a Teenage Girl” director Marielle Heller is helming the pic from a script by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.

“I’m thrilled to be making ‘You Are My Friend,'” Heller said. “The script knocked me out with its message of kindness and its exploration of the human spirit. As a mother, I am so inspired by the teachings of Fred Rogers and as a human I am in awe of his life’s work. I can’t wait to bring his story to the public and be a part of such a thoughtful, smart group of people who are all coming together to make this film, which truly feels to me like an antidote to our very fractured culture.”

The film is inspired by a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod. In the story, a cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed.

“This is the perfect alchemy of talent coming together at the perfect time to remind us all of the transformative power of kindness and respect to heal and to unite. We are proud to partner with Marielle, Tom and everyone at Big Beach to bring this inspirational true story to audiences all over the world,” said Hannah Minghella, president of TriStar Pictures.


Big Beach Films is producing with Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf producing for the company alongside Youree Henley (“The Beguiled”). Leah Holzer of Big Beach will executive produce, along with Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster. The project originated from a true story developed by Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster, first appearing on the Black List in 2013.

“Now more than ever, we all need a re-introduction to Fred Rogers’ message of uncompromising love and kindness between all living things. Mari Heller is the perfect visionary filmmaker to bring Noah and Micah’s script to life and because of her vision and this remarkable script, we have the quintessential actor to play Fred Rogers,” said Turtletaub and Saraf.

Minghella and Shary Shirazi will oversee the project for TriStar Pictures. Production is set to begin in the fall.

Hanks is hardly a stranger to playing real-life personalities. In last year’s “The Post,” which was recently nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards, he played Washington Post editor-in-chief Ben Bradlee. It’s currently unknown when this film would start production, as Hanks has a handful of films expected to shoot this year, including Sony’s World War II movie “Greyhound,” which Hanks wrote as well as stars in.

Hanks is also attached to star in the Amblin film “Bios,” which is produced by Robert Zemeckis with Miguel Sapochnik directing. Hanks is repped by CAA.

Heller is represented by UTA and Ziffren Law Firm. Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster are represented by UTA and managed by Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and James Feldman at Lichter, Grossman Law Firm. Junod is represented by Lucy Stille of APA and David Black of the David Black Agency.

Well that's some perfect damn casting right there.

I wish Tom Hanks would stop playing real people.

He's kind of been on a kick, hasn't he? Even in "The Circle" (which nobody watched) he was basically playing the Google CEO. I think it's less "Tom Hanks only likes playing real people from history" and more "It's Tom Hanks, national treasure... what else can we give him?"

I wish he'd play a straight-up villain. Like a serial killer or something.

Can't argue with that...

Tom Hanks either just plays real people now or Woody in Toy Story sequels, barely anything else.

And Johnny Depp only plays wacky caricatures.

And Tim Burton only does creepy things.

It's their career, so I'm pretty sure if Tom Hanks wanted to play a Marvel character or a Star Wars character or a Jigsaw character, people would cut him a check and send him a script. :tsmile:

The only person as instantly likeable as Mr. Rogers himself.

Exactly.
The nicest man in Hollywood to play the nicest man from television.

Great choice. I'll peep it.

Until the sexual allegations are made.

He's already been accused:
https://bluerockpublicradio.com/anot...e-f4eec3485206

Can't say I'm shocked. I kind of got that vibe from him in interviews.

Matthew Rhys is going to play Tom Junod in the film. Junod is the award-winning journalist whose real-life friendship with Rogers inspired the film.

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/new...-are-my-friend

I want Tom Hanks in the MCU universe, as Galactus or whatever.

Uatu the Watcher....

Here is the first photo. :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoHxyR1VsAALjqR.jpg

https://comicbook.com/movies/2018/09...ks-first-look/

Tragedy on set as emmy award winning sound mixer James M. Emswille dies after falling two floors from a balcony

https://deadline.com/2018/10/you-are...rs-1202481413/

Wow! That's awful.

Additional casting for the film has been announced.

https://deadline.com/2018/10/tom-han...st-1202489575/

Perfect casting i should say.

It's very "safe" casting. But obviously he'll do a great job.

There was an article from Entertainment Weekly about the film today. It has plenty of details.

Marielle Heller on recreating Mister Rogers' world with Tom Hanks, ties, and vintage cameras

Also, here are some pictures.

https://i.ibb.co/0G06W4s/df-10841-r.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/M7Rb5gX/df-05756-r.jpg

I think that both the trailer and Hanks captured the atmosphere of what the TV show was like and who Rogers was as a person. Since an actress is going to play Betty Aberlin/Lady Aberlin I do hope that they include this scene in the movie, which was also discussed in Won't You Be My Neighbor. What Daniel Tiger feels is exactly what I was feeling from late 2015-2016. Some of the biggest names and companies in all of Hollywood were doing things that made me feel like everything that made me who I am today is one the things they despise. They were being called heroes while I having some of the darkest days of my life. I don't feel like I am a mistake after hearing this song.

It looks like my favorite moment with Lady Aberlin and Daniel Tiger will be included in this movie.

My best friend saw it a few weeks ago. It is by far one of my favorite movies of the year. This really is a film that everyone should see. If you are feeling down or having trouble forgiving someone, then I would not miss out on this. There are good life lessons in it and outstanding acting, especially from Hanks.