Advertisement

First look at Tom Hanks in new movie News of the World

From Digital Spy

Tom Hanks features in the first image from western drama News of the World.

The film is directed by Paul Greengrass, who Hanks collaborated with on 2013's Captain Phillips, while it's based on author Paulette Jiles' novel of the same name.

Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, it centres on the unlikely friendship between Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (the Texan newscaster portrayed by Hanks) and 10-year-old Johanna Leonberger (Helena Zengel) when he's tasked with returning her to her family.

Photo credit: Bruce Talamon/Universal Pictures
Photo credit: Bruce Talamon/Universal Pictures

Related: Tom Hanks' Greyhound has set a new record for Apple TV+

Greengrass co-wrote the screenplay alongside Lion's Luke Davies, while Hanks and Gary Goetzman are producing through their Playtone banner.

Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski is the man charged with making News of the World as visually stunning as possible – his previous credits include The Martian and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The Sixth Sense and The Hunger Games' James Newton Howard will provide the music.

Photo credit: Kevin Winter - Getty Images
Photo credit: Kevin Winter - Getty Images

Related: Tom Hanks pays tribute to those who helped him through coronavirus as he and his wife return home

Hanks' latest cinematic offering (which was released via streaming on Apple TV+ in the end) was naval film Greyhound, earning two stars in the Digital Spy review.

We wrote: "Greyhound isn't bad exactly, it just isn't very moving. It takes something special to make a straightforward movie about World War II that resonates with you long after the credits roll (did we mention Dunkirk?), and unfortunately this isn't one of them."

News of the World is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Christmas Day 2020 in the US, and New Year's Day 2021 in the UK.


Digital Spy has launched its first-ever digital magazine with exclusive features, interviews, and videos. Access this edition with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.

You Might Also Like