The movie world is still abuzz with “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” nostalgia after the hit documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, and now Tom Hanks is going to give us another dose with a first glimpse of his portrayal of the children’s TV show host in the upcoming drama about his real-life friendship with a cynical journalist.
Here’s a photo of Hanks fresh out of the hair and makeup trailer courtesy of Sony Pictures. And yes, he’s sporting Rogers’ famous red cardigan and blue sneakers.
Tom Hanks is Mister Rogers, coming to a neighborhood near you October 2019. pic.twitter.com/2TP3eiPUCx
– Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) September 27, 2018
Directed by Marielle Heller, the untitled project — which previously went under the working title “You Are My Friend” — sees Hanks’ Rogers getting paid a visit by jaded reporter Tom Junod (Matthew Rhys), who has begrudgingly accepted an assignment to write a profile about the man with the red trolley. But as the two talk, Junod realizes that Rogers’ sincerity isn’t an act he does for the kids, and his worldview is completely changed by the man with whom he becomes a lifelong friend.
“You Are My Friend” hits theaters in October 2019.