Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
Nice Tom plays nice Fred
Tom Hanks has earned himself the reputation as the nicest man in Hollywood and he’s now signed on to play someone who was regarded as the nicest person in all of entertainment.
The actor will star as Fred Rogers in a new biopic called You Are My Friend.
Fred Rogers was the star of a children’s TV show called Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. It first started on TV in 1963 and was aired until Rogers retired in 2001. Fred Rogers still is a huge cultural icon in the US, with his spotless reputation and a desire to help children learn.
Imagine Mr Tumble, Tony Hart, Johnny Ball and David Attenborough all rolled into one. That’s Mr Rogers.
His is a story of a good man, trying to make the world a little bit better, but the script will look at just one section of his life.
You Are My Friend will focus on his relationship with a journalist called Tom
Junod and the effect Rogers had on his life. Junod was a cynical, award-winning writer who reluctantly took on the job of writing a profile on Rogers for Esquire magazine. He found his perspective on life changed for good.
Marielle Heller, director of The Diary Of A Teenage Girl, will be at the helm.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be making You Are My Friend. The script knocked me out with its message of kindness and its exploration of the human spirit.” It sounds like award-fodder, and that’s what Tom Hanks deserves. He’s won two Best Actor Oscars in his career and been nominated three other times. However, he hasn’t been recognised for his work by the Academy since Cast Away in 2000, so Mr Rogers may be the role that breaks the dry spell.