Tom Hanks will star in and produce an English language adaptation of the best-selling novel “A Man Called Ove,” TheWrap has learned.
Hanks will produce the film through his Playtone banner with Gary Goetzman, along with his wife, Rita Wilson, and Fredrik Wikstrom Nicastro. Nicastro also produced the upcoming tennis film “Borg vs. McEnroe,” as well as the Swedish adaptation of “A Man Called Ove,” which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and was the highest grossing foreign film of 2016.
Written by Fredrik Backman and published in 2012, “A Man Called Ove” follows Ove Lindahl, a depressed widower whose life is changed for the better when a chatty family of four moves in next door. The Swedish adaptation was directed by Hannes Holm and starred Rolf Lassgard in the lead role.
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“This story about love, tolerance and hope amplifies the qualities in movies that are hallmarks of the classic films we know and love,” said Wilson. “A Man Called Ove transcended the language barrier to touch readers and audiences in ways we long for. What an honor to be part of such beautiful material.”
Hanks is repped by CAA.