He has a long-established reputation as one of the nicest people in Hollywood, and Tom Hanks has signed on to play someone who could have challenged him in those stakes. The actor will star as Fred Rogers in a new biopic called You Are My Friend.
Though the cosy, charming, and child-friendly presenter of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood might not be quite as iconic in the UK as he was in the States (you can get a taste of his style here{
The Diary Of A Teenage Girl's Marielle Heller is on board to direct the film, which has just been nabbed by TriStar Pictures. "I’m thrilled to be making You Are My Friend," Heller says. "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." It also feels like the right time for a Rogers biopic, given that a documentary about the man just premiered at Sundance and will hit screens this year.
This will mark just the latest real-life person brought to life by Hanks – his most recent performance is on UK screens now in Steven Spielberg's The Post, where the actor plays Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee.
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