Tom Hanks is about as wholesome American as you can get in terms of longtime actors, and he’s no stranger to playing real-life figures on the big screen. A few years back, he nailed the role of Walt Disney in the film Saving Mr. Banks, and now it sounds like he’s well on his way to nailing yet another iconic figure in children’s entertainment.

According to Variety, the actor is set to play Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood fame in the film You Are My Friend. The series ran for decades on PBS, and was a staple in many Americans’ childhoods, with Mr. Rogers himself being a quite the coveted figure. Needless to say, Tom Hanks is an inspired choice for this role.

On board to helm the movie is Marielle Heller, who directed Diary of a Teenage Girl. Here’s what Heller had to say about the film.

“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.”

The film in question won’t just be a standard biopic, but will focus on the friendship between Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. Here’s what Variety had to say about the film.

“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.”

Do you think Hanks is a good choice to play the beloved Mr. Rogers? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

SOURCE: TheWrap