“Who should we get to play a man of strong moral fiber that audiences love?”

“Mel Gibson? Just kidding. I’m calling Tom Hanks as we speak.”

The actual exchange probably didn’t include the Mel Gibson zinger, but you get the idea. Tom Hanks‘ interest was apparently captured by the script, which was recently rewritten by The Hunger Games scribe, Billy Ray.

The film will be based on Phillips’ memoir A Captain’s Story: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea and will be produced by the team behind The Social Network. I guess the law doesn’t allow for a machine that prints money, but it sounds like this film will be a pretty good substitute. No release date has been announced, but my gut says to bet your bottom dollar on a Thanksgiving release. (Deadline)