Tom Hanks Is MR. ROGERS In First Look Photo

Untitled Mr. Rogers / Tom Hanks Project

Two-time Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks is Mister Rogers in TriStar Pictures’ Untitled Mr. Rogers / Tom Hanks Project, coming to a neighborhood near you October 2019. The upcoming film also features Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson and Chris Cooper.

The film is a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor.

Earlier this summer, the feature length documentary WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? was released and was an instant hit with critics and moviegoers alike. In his review, Michael Haffner wrote the movie, “hammers home just how unafraid Mr. Rogers was at addressing the fears of children as well as explaining the circumstances of real-world events.”

Read Michael Haffner’s full review of the film HERE.

Marielle Heller (Diary of a Teenage Girl) will direct from a screenplay by Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster (Transparent, Beautiful Ruins). Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf of Big Beach will produce alongside Youree Henley (The Beguiled, 20th Century Woman). Leah Holzer of Big Beach will executive produce, along with Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster.

The project originated from a true story developed by Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster, first appearing on the Black List in 2013.

“This is the perfect alchemy of talent coming together at the perfect time to remind us all of the transformative power of kindness and respect to heal and to unite. We are proud to partner with Marielle, Tom and everyone at Big Beach to bring this inspirational true story to audiences all over the world,” said Hannah Minghella, President of TriStar Pictures.

Turtletaub and Saraf said, “Now more than ever, we all need a re-introduction to Fred Rogers’ message of uncompromising love and kindness between all living things. Mari Heller is the perfect visionary filmmaker to bring Noah and Micah’s script to life and because of her vision and this remarkable script, we have the quintessential actor to play Fred Rogers. ”

Director Marielle Heller 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. As a mother, I am so inspired by the teachings of Fred Rogers and as a human I am in awe of his life’s work. I can’t wait to bring his story to the public and be a part of such a thoughtful, smart group of people who are all coming together to make this film, which truly feels to me like an antidote to our very fractured culture.”