Tom Hanks has been cast as Abraham Lincoln in an upcoming film.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hanks has won two Academy Awards—one for Philadelphia in 1994 and another for Forrest Gump in 1995. He has also received Oscar nominations for his performances in Big (1989), Saving Private Ryan (1999), Cast Away (2001), and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2020). Recently, he appeared in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, which was released last year, and he is set to reprise his voice as Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 5. According to Deadline, Hanks will now take on the role of Abraham Lincoln in a live-action, stop-motion animation hybrid film titled Lincoln in the Bardo. He will portray a live-action version of the historic president.
The film is based on George Saunders’ 2017 novel of the same name. Directed by Duke Johnson—who co-directed the 2015 film Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman—Lincoln in the Bardo promises a unique storytelling approach. Johnson also directed the upcoming 2025 film The Actor. As described by Deadline, the movie will combine stop-motion animation and live action to depict a deeply personal moment in Lincoln’s life, focusing on his bond with his recently deceased 11-year-old son. The story will explore themes of love, empathy, and the human capacity to endure grief, featuring an ensemble cast of both real and fictional characters, living and dead.
Produced by Starburns Industries, the film is expected to shoot in London. Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce Lincoln in the Bardo under Hanks’ Playtone label, while Johnson, Paul Young, and Devon Young Rabinowitz will produce for Starburns Industries. Steven Shareshian, Aaron Mitchell, and George Saunders serve as executive producers.
An official release date for Lincoln in the Bardo has not yet been announced.
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