Tom Hanks is an actor of many talents. He’s tackled an island castaway, a kind-hearted soul who could run for years, and even the kooky conductor of a magic train to the North Pole. Hanks has also tried his hand at period pieces, including roles such as pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Walt Disney. Now, the versatile actor is adding U.S. President to his repertoire. Tom Hanks will play Abraham Lincoln in a live-action/stop-motion animation hybrid movie Lincoln in the Bardo.
Based on George Saunders’ New York Times bestseller, Lincoln in the Bardo follows the 16th President of the United States as he grieves the death of his son. Hanks will portray the live-action version of Lincoln. He will also produce the film under his Playtone label with partner Gary Goetzman. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Duke Johnson is set to direct and produce the feature.
The big screen adaptation of Lincoln in the Bardo will blend stop-motion animation with live-action. The movie explores the intimate moments of Lincoln’s life shortly following the death of his 11-year-old son. Carrying themes of “love, empathy, and human capacity in the face of grief,” the story unfolds through an ensemble of characters, both “living and dead, historical and invented.” Hmm. In all honesty, it sounds a bit wacky, but curious nonetheless.
Here’s the official description, according to IMDB:
In 1862, a grieving Abraham Lincoln visits his son Willie’s grave, sparking a supernatural moment where ghosts in the “bardo” must help the boy move on before he is trapped forever.
Johnson, Paul Young, and Devon Young Rabinowitz are producing for Starburns Industries, marking the studio’s first project to go into production since it announced its film fund earlier this month. Production will take place in London.