It’s impossible to find someone on the planet who hasn’t watched Steven Spielberg’s incredible films. Throughout his career, the filmmaker has delivered some iconic films, including classics like Jaws, Jurrasic Park films, Indiana Jones films, and many more. Among his numerous blockbuster works, his consistent collaboration with Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks cannot be overlooked.
Hanks and Spielberg have collaborated on various projects and needless to say, most of them have been highly successful. However, there is one project, where Spielberg regrets not collaborating with Hanks, as he was moved by Hanks’ performance when he saw the film.
Steven Spielberg was deeply moved by Tom Hanks’ performance
The list of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg’s incredible collaborations is indeed long. However, there is this one project on which Spielberg wanted to collaborate with Hanks, but due to a scheduling conflict, he couldn’t make it. During an interview with Time Magazine, legendary filmmaker Spielberg revealed about the film he wanted to make with Hanks. The director said,
“I have to say Philadelphia. Because I knew Tom really well when he was making Philadelphia.”
The actor further shared that while Hanks was busy with his film, Spielberg was helming Schindler’s List. The director said that he was aware of the project, Hanks was associated with but he didn’t go into much detail about it. All he knew was that Hanks was going to portray an important role. He said,
“I knew what audiences were about to see. For me, the proof in knowing someone very very well, and not knowing someone at all but knowing his character very well.”
However, when he watched Philadelphia he was so deeply moved by Hanks’ performance that he forgot that he knew Hanks. Spielberg said,
“When I went to see Philadelphia and forgot that I even knew this man. And saw one of the most noble statements I had seen in film.”
Hanks’ performance in the film was undoubtedly impeccable and it left a strong impression on his friend Spielberg. The filmmaker claimed that Hanks’ performance was so strong in the film, that it can make you so engrossed in the character that you will surely forget if you know the person personally.
Steven Spielberg praised Tom Hanks’ film
Steven Spielberg was not just a fan of Hanks’ performance in the film, but he even appreciated the entire film. During the same interview, the director said,
“I had seen in film. It was a ground-breaking achievement in the social context, and the context of tolerance. And opening people’s minds to something they were very closed to in those days; an issue that was a clear and present danger to everyone.”
The 1993 released film, Philadelphia was indeed an iconic piece, which was not only a financial success, but it was also praised by the critics.
Source: Time Magazine
