Tom Hanks in Talks to Play Captain Sully

Tom Hanks in in negotiations with Warner Bros. to play Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in Clint Eastman’s new film based on the pilot’s emergency in the Hudson River, which saved the lives of all 155 people on board.

This is 100% in Hanks’ wheelhouse, so it seems like a no-brainer. Between Applo 13 and Captain Phillips, this is exactly the type of role we expect from Hanks. Let’s be honest, Hanks is a fantastic actor, but he’s not necessarily known for his character work. With few exceptions, like Forrest Gump and Catch Me If You Can, Hanks is always some variation of Tom Hanks. Which is fine (no, we didn’t forget about Cloud Atlas, we just wish we did). We’ve gotten the same out of some of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, like Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and even George Clooney.

This is a role he will likely excel at, but after hearing of the death of Hanks’ ‘Burbs co-star, Rick Ducommen, it reminded us that Tom Hanks used to make some pretty damn good comedies. It would be nice to see him come back to the genre here and there. And we don’t mean in that You’ve Got Mail/Larry Crowne kind of way, but more in the Bachelor Party/Money Pit way.