Tom Hanks Is Expected To Play Hero Pilot Sully Sullenberger In Clint Eastwood Film

Tom Hanks is a high-profile actor who has played many interesting characters in his long-acting career. He is now about to embark on yet another adventure as he is apparently slated to take over the role of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in the new Warner Bros. film. Sully, as most know him by, is the brilliant pilot who saved the lives of his 155 passengers who were aboard the plane that went down in the Hudson River in 2009. Clint Eastwood has taken on this new biopic as director.

Deadline was the first to report that Hanks is in talks to play the role of this hero who used his skills as a trained pilot to bring the plane to a somewhat soft landing on the water of the Hudson after it collided with a flock of geese in the air. It had just taken off from La Guardia Airport, and it was a miracle that every single person got off that plane safely.

The pairing of Hanks and Eastwood seems like a match made in heaven. Clint Eastwood is kind of a hero himself, and he also loves to make films about heroes. His most recent movie was American Sniper, which became one of the most controversial films ever. However, it did gross over $550 million worldwide. Tom Hanks has taken on hero roles before in movies like Apollo 13 and Saving Mr. Banks. The Inquisitr revealed that the actor chose the Disney film because he always loved Walt Disney since he was a kid. This new Sully film seems to be right up his alley. Hanks has always done a brilliant portrayal of a hero.

Many may wonder just how a story of a plane going down so quickly from a flock of geese can lead into a possible two-hour film. It’s not just about the plane crashing into the Hudson, but the man behind the story. They will focus on the captain himself, who has been in the limelight since the incident. Warner Bros. explained the concept in their statement.

“It will go beyond Sullenberger’s almost impossible and much-heralded achievement of safely landing a jumbo jet on the water, which was captured on video and viewed around the world. But behind the scenes, a drama was unfolding that could have cost him his reputation and his wings.”

How does Captain Sully feel about his story being put out there on the big screen with Tom Hanks at the realm? He seems to be quite thrilled and honored to be a huge part of it. He had this to say about it.

“I am very glad my story is in the hands of gifted storyteller and filmmaker Clint Eastwood, and veteran producers Allyn Stewart and Frank Marshall. The project could not have found a better home than Warner Bros. Pictures. This is truly a dream team.”

He is probably thrilled that an actor such as Hanks will be the lead in this biopic as well. The name of this film is going to be simply titled Sully. That kind of says it all right there. Do you think that Tom Hanks is a good fit to take on this role?

[Image by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images]