This year marks the 50 year anniversary of Mister Rogers’ NeighborhoodOpens in a new tab. The beloved educational series created and hosted by the late Fred Rogers ran from the late ’60s until 2001. It’s known for being warm, friendly, and uplifting. When you have a host regularly reminding you that you can make each day a special day just by being yourself (something both kids and adults need to hear and take to heart), you make it a point to tune in. And via DeadlineOpens in a new tab, an upcoming biopic about Rogers, You Are My Friend, is in the works with Tom HanksOpens in a new tab set for the starring role.
Tom Hanks, a.k.a. America’s dad, as Mister Rogers. I can’t think of a better casting decision.
You Are My Friend was developed by Noah Harpster and Micah Fitzerman-Blue. The story is inspired by what happened when journalist Tom Junod was assigned an article by Esquire to write about Rogers; a friendship formed between the two and the cynical Junod’s perspective of the world was changed. Junod wrote his piece about Rogers 20 years ago, but Esquire recently republished it onlineOpens in a new tab.
It is finally happening, and in the best of ways: a movie, very loosely based on the article I wrote for @EsquireOpens in a new tab 20 years ago, with Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, two innovative screenwriters from Transparency scripting, and Marielle Heller directing. Well-timed, for this moment. https://t.co/JWsOCmL6XBOpens in a new tab
— Tom Junod (@TomJunod) January 29, 2018Opens in a new tab
The film will be directed by Marille Heller and is scheduled to kick off production in fall 2018.
Can you think of anyone more suited to play Fred Rogers than Tom Hanks? Go to the comments and share your thoughts about this casting.
Images: Disney, PBS
Catch on more film news!
- Decode Annihilation‘s websiteOpens in a new tab to see new footage.
- Tom Cruise shows how he broke his ankleOpens in a new tab on Mission: Impossible 6.
- Watch a trailer for the Andre the Giant documentaryOpens in a new tab.
[brightcove video_id=”5720401876001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=”rJs2ZD8x”]
