Variety – TriStar Pictures has landed worldwide distribution rights to the Mr. Rogers biopic “You Are My Friend,” with Tom Hanks attached to play the iconic TV personality. “Diary of a Teenage Girl” director Marielle Heller is helming the pic from a script by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.
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The film is inspired by a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod. In the story, a cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed.
Well this is a great early week story. I had no idea this movie was in the works and now here we are with the announcement of what is pretty much a perfect casting choice. I’ve been wracking my brain all day trying to come up with another actor who could possibly come close to matching Hanks for this role. Couldn’t do it. I picture Tom Hanks in that classic Mr. Rogers sweater over the shirt and tie combo and it just feels right. And what a time for this movie to come. Think of all the problems in the world right now. And specific to this story, think of the mess the entertainment industry has on its hands. And now we’re being given the story of Fred Rogers, a man as perfect as they come. Hopefully the news of this movie, along with the movie itself, will help remind us all that there is good in everyone.
Back to the movie itself, this has Oscar nominations, if not wins, written all over it. Best Picture? Might as well ink it in now. Best Actor? Duh. Best Director? Sure, why not. I’m thinking you all get the idea by now. This story, especially at this moment in history, is as much a guarantee as anything to be nominated for multiple Oscars. Hopefully it will be deserving. I’m feeling pretty confident that it will be.
What a man.
