If you're too young to know who Fred Rogers is or his show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, well, I hate you. The rest of us who do are loving this moment right now, as Mister Rogers is a part of the public discourse in a way he hasn't been since passing away fifteen years ago. Earlier this year we had the terrific documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?, which looks like a potential Oscar contender. And there's also a biopic starring another beloved American figure, Tom Hanks, and we have our first look at him in a very specific outfit.
Sony's first image of the untitled film (formerly referred to as You Are My Friend) features Hanks in the classic Fred Rogers red cardigan and slacks. The casting couldn't be more perfect, and this photo only confirms it.
The film is directed by Marielle Heller (Diary of a Teenage Girl) and co-stars Matthew Rhys as a journalist who overcomes his cynicism to form an unlikely friendship with Rogers. Chris Cooper and Susan Kelechi Watson co-star. The film hits theaters next year on October 18th.
Tom Hanks is Mister Rogers, coming to a neighborhood near you October 2019. pic.twitter.com/2TP3eiPUCx— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) September 27, 2018