Tom Hanks will decipher 'Da Vinci Code'

[Jack Aubrey]

From Coming Soon

 

Tom Hanks Deciphers The Da Vinci Code

 

November 15, 2004

 

 

Tom Hanks has been pegged to play the lead role in Sony's upcoming film The Da Vinci Code, the adaptation of author Dan Brown's best-selling thriller, Newsweek has learned. Director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, the duo who helped make Hanks a star with their 1984 comedy Splash and rehired him 11 years later for Apollo 13, cast Hanks as the globe-trotting scholar Robert Langdon, a decision based partially on the cerebral (riddle-solving, code-cracking) nature of the action in "Da Vinci."

 

"Tom is an exciting actor to watch thinking," Howard tells the magazine. "We probably don't need his status from a box-office standpoint" -- by now, The Da Vinci Code sells itself -- "but he gives Langdon instant legitimacy."

 

Howard and Grazer are taking their time casting "Da Vinci," but plan to hire actual foreign actors to play the book's foreign characters. "If there's any book that's supposed to be an international thriller, says Grazer, "this is it." Grazer tells Newsweek that one recent Oscar winner inquired about the role of Parisian cryptologist Sophie Neveu, "and she could easily do it. But I think the audience would be let down a bit. They expect a French girl." As for the role of bullish cop Bezu Fache, Gordon reports that Jean Reno is on Grazer's short list.

 

Grazer first got wind of The Da Vinci Code early in 2003, when Joel Surnow -- creator of the acclaimed TV series 24 -- thought "Da Vinci" would make a terrific story line for the show's third season. Surnow asked his boss, Grazer, to look into acquiring the rights. But as Brown had no intention of handing over his book to a mere TV show, Grazer says that "it quickly became clear that we had no chance." A few months later Sony paid $6 million for the movie rights -- and hired Grazer as the producer for the biggest film adaptation since "Harry Potter."

[1-0-0-1-0-0-1]

It's tough to argue with that the team of Hanks and Howard for this.

 

Someone told me recently that they didn't think Tom Hanks was a good actor. I argued that Hanks isn't a "showy" actor, but the type who inhabits a role in a quiet, convincing way that lets the viewer indentify with the character more easily. Now that's acting.

[GhostGirl]

QUOTE (1-0-0-1-0-0-1 @ Nov 16 2004, 09:39 AM)

It's tough to argue with that the team of Hanks and Howard for this. Someone told me recently that they didn't think Tom Hanks was a good actor. I argued that Hanks isn't a "showy" actor, but the type who inhabits a role in a quiet, convincing way that lets the viewer indentify with the character more easily. Now that's acting.

I agree 100% about Tom Hanks. He is easily one of the best actors of our generation. I don't see how anyone could watch some of his movies and NOT be awed by his ability to become the character he plays. "Philadelphia" for one..."Castaway" also. Even Forrest Gump---the scene when he asks Jenny if Forest, Jr. is "smart" is heartbreakingly genuine.

[neilpeart_gal]

Forrest Gump slays me. Several times during that movie that I have to make myself NOT cry. But I am a sap.

 

I agree, Hanks is not 'showy', but he always makes me believe he is whoever he is portraying. I'd say that's pretty damn good.

[barney_rebel]

I was forced to sit and watch The Terminal last night. Man that was a horrid movie, but Hanks was god in it.

[Test4VitalSigns]

I watched good ole Tommy in Coen Bros.' last flick "Ladykillers" the other night....the guy is so good at adapting himself to different characters and in comedy as well as drama....I can't believe this is the same guy from "Bachelor Party"

[D-13]

QUOTE (Jack Aubrey @ Nov 15 2004, 10:17 AM)

From Coming Soon Tom Hanks Deciphers The Da Vinci Code November 15, 2004 Tom Hanks has been pegged to play the lead role in Sony's upcoming film The Da Vinci Code, the adaptation of author Dan Brown's best-selling thriller, Newsweek has learned. Director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, the duo who helped make Hanks a star with their 1984 comedy Splash and rehired him 11 years later for Apollo 13, cast Hanks as the globe-trotting scholar Robert Langdon, a decision based partially on the cerebral (riddle-solving, code-cracking) nature of the action in "Da Vinci." "Tom is an exciting actor to watch thinking," Howard tells the magazine. "We probably don't need his status from a box-office standpoint" -- by now, The Da Vinci Code sells itself -- "but he gives Langdon instant legitimacy." Howard and Grazer are taking their time casting "Da Vinci," but plan to hire actual foreign actors to play the book's foreign characters. "If there's any book that's supposed to be an international thriller, says Grazer, "this is it." Grazer tells Newsweek that one recent Oscar winner inquired about the role of Parisian cryptologist Sophie Neveu, "and she could easily do it. But I think the audience would be let down a bit. They expect a French girl." As for the role of bullish cop Bezu Fache, Gordon reports that Jean Reno is on Grazer's short list. Grazer first got wind of The Da Vinci Code early in 2003, when Joel Surnow -- creator of the acclaimed TV series 24 -- thought "Da Vinci" would make a terrific story line for the show's third season. Surnow asked his boss, Grazer, to look into acquiring the rights. But as Brown had no intention of handing over his book to a mere TV show, Grazer says that "it quickly became clear that we had no chance." A few months later Sony paid $6 million for the movie rights -- and hired Grazer as the producer for the biggest film adaptation since "Harry Potter."

SWEET! i'm reading that book right now! it is soooooooooooooooooooo good

[Sodoff Baldrick]

I like Hanks, but I didn't picture him in the role when I read the book. Then again, I didn't picture Tom Cruise as Lestat, and he did fine, IMO.

[madra sneachta]

I can live with Tom Hanks. Langdon is something of an innocent abroad, and Hanks is good at portraying that sort of character. In fairness, he has had something of a bum deal in terms of credibility. He's never had the critical respect he deserves.

 

 

[Drumnut]

Hanks and Opie Taylor, it's got to be good!

[Drumnut]

QUOTE (Drumnut @ Nov 19 2004, 07:05 PM)

Hanks and Opie Taylor, it's got to be good!

That's Opie Cunningham

Edited November 20, 2004 by Drumnut