National Geographic Channel President Howard T. Owens announced that actor, producer, writer and director Tom Hanks is joining the two-hour television event Killing Lincoln from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Productions.
Hanks, a two-time Oscar® winner known for his roles in Saving Private Ryan, Forest Gump, Apollo 13, The Green Mile, and The Da Vinci Code, among many others, will serve as the on-camera host, historical commentator and narrator.
Hanks joins director Adrian Moat (Gettysburg), Emmy Award-winning writer/Executive Producer Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers) and producer Mark Herzog’s Herzog & Co. (Gettysburg) on the film, which is based on Bill O’Reilly’s New York Times best-selling book Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever written with co-author Martin Dugard.
Production on the historical thriller combines the stunning drama with CGI, in the signature style of the Scott brothers, with rare historical archives. Actor Billy Campbell plays Abraham Lincoln, actor Jesse Johnson plays John Wilkes Booth in the film which also stars Geraldine Hughes as Mary Todd Lincoln. Graham Beckelappears as Edwin Stanton (who served as secretary of war under the Lincoln administration) and Shawn Pyfrom portrays Private John W. Nichols.
“It’s odd to say the killing of Abraham Lincoln is an unknown story, but it may as well be,” said Hanks. “The depth of the intrigue, the breadth of the conspiracy and the bare-naked exposure of human nature is so timeless, it’s a wonder how that seminal tragedy in our history could ever be explained in a few sentences: ‘Ford’s Theater… John Wilkes Booth,’ etc. The murder of Lincoln is not a passage of our history — it was a signpost of our American character, then, now and forever.”
“Having someone like Tom who is so passionate about history and such an incredible storyteller join National Geographic Channel on this project will add even more energy and gravitas to this epic historical moment being retold for contemporary audiences,” said Owens. “
“Only Hanks can add that unique poise, intrigue and dynamism that are his trademark to a film about one of the most significant, life-changing events in America’s young history,” added Ridley Scott. “His mastery always shines through and we can’t wait for viewers to be engrossed in this story.”
The film is set to air globally on NGC in early 2013 in 440 million homes in 171 countries and 38 languages.
