The film will focus on people on the periphery of the national tragedy, like Abraham Zapruder, secret service agents, and the doctors involved. Nothing is mentioned of Hanks stepping in front of the camera, though I think he would make a very solemn and respectful Jackie O.

Hanks has demonstrated a recurring interest in breathing life to historical drama from the golden years of American history, having dabbled in astronauts, WWII, and now the Kennedy assassination, just like I did when I was 12 years old.

Based on the novel by David Mitchell.

The Forrest Gump star has proved himself to be one of our greatest actors with several award-winning performances. On top of that, he’s a really nice guy. That’s why it stings to have to point out a few of his career missteps that either left us expecting more or wanting to see less. He still tops our list of Favorite Hanks-es, but if he keeps pumping out films like those on this list, we’ll have to give Colin the edge.

The Terminal

In The Terminal, Tom Hanks plays a man trapped at JFK International Airport while his native country is in the grips of a revolution. That’s how I felt while watching it. Trapped.

It had all of the elements of a movie I would watch the crap out of.

- Tom Hanks. Great.
- Steven Spielberg. Cool.
- Catherine Zeta-Jones. Okay.
- The Tooch. Word.
- That guy that isn’t Gael Garcia Bernal. Fine. I’ll allow it.
- Partially based on the true life story of that guy I read about in Rolling Stone. Check.
- Kumar from Bottle Rocket. Awesome.

But the resulting sum of all these parts fell short. Of course, watching Tom Hanks actually live in the airport like Top Cat was fun. But when the additional characters and love interests enter the mix, things take a turn for the confusing and not needed. It’s no wonder a sequel where Tom Hanks sets up shop in Ikea never got the greenlight.

The Money Pit

This mid-80′s comedy about a house falling to ruin didn’t have enough going for it to stand on its own. On paper, it looks great. We’re talking about a movie where Shelley Long gets beaned in the head by falling plaster. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to see. Sadly, physical comedy, the charm of Tom Hanks, and a concussed Shelley Long weren’t enough to make this movie enjoyable. I’ll go to Funny Farm for my fix of “a couple in over their heads in new surroundings” comedy, thank you very much.

Celebrities! They’re weird like us!

Tom Hanks – 1940’s Typewriters

“I have almost 200 old portable manual typewriters. Most of them are actually working and I keep them rotating.”

Is there a more Tom Hanks-like hobby than collecting old typewriters? That was rhetorical. There is not. That’s awesome. I was hoping that a guy like Hanks would have some weird hobby, like collecting Nazi flatware like Chris Cooper did in American Beauty, but then I remembered that Hanks LOVES World War II, and even that wouldn’t be very weird. Tom Hanks is physically incapable of doing anything that isn’t adorable.

Simon Cowell – Climbing Trees

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of background here, but on a press call, Simon Cowell just mentioned offhand that he likes to climb trees. Like, a lot. In fact, his exact quote was “I climb trees daily. It’s like a ritual.” I am just imagining him sitting atop a beautiful oak while Ruben Studdard and Adam Lambert are scrambling at the bottom, looking for footholds. In my imagination, Ruben is also crying a lot because he’s scared of heights.

Rod Stewart – Model Trains

Granted, this hobby isn’t all that strange, but it seems extremely out of place for a guy like Rod Stewart.

The Bobby Baccalieri of celebrities, when he’s not buying professional soccer teams, Rod Stewart likes to take his mind off the fact that his daughter is friends with Paris Hilton by building model railways. He was actually featured on the cover of Model Railroader with his recreation of Grand Central Station, which even features little people in 1940’s garb and boasts 100 feet of railroad. It’s hard to make fun of this hobby when he’s had the career he’s had. In fact, he manages to make building model railroads kind of rock and roll. Not bad, Rod.

Tom Hanks is in the process of signing on to Garden of Beasts, a book adaptation that tells the story of William Dodd, the U.S. ambassador to Germany who was at first naive to the changes taking place in the foreign land. Hanks would play the ambassador, who signed on in 1933. The story would also focus on his daughter, who also lived in Germany and carried on affairs with German and Soviet officials. No news on who will be playing her yet.

This project is just another in Hanks proud World War II lineage which includes Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Saving Private Ryan. Hanks will producing this film under his Playtone banner because somewhere, maybe not here, but somewhere, there is a law that Tom Hanks gets right of first refusal in producing all WWII films and minseries.

He is unquestionably one of the greatest explorers in history. In fact, I’d be hard-pressed to name more than a few others. Unless those explorers had a movie based on their trials and travails. In which case, I’m a real history buff.

Carl Fredricksen and Russell – Up

You’re never too old to become an explorer. Carl Fredricksen learns this after using thousands of helium balloons to convert his house into an airship and set its course for Paradise Falls, South America. He picks up Russell by mistake and brings him along for the exotic adventure. Technically, they weren’t the first to discover Paradise Falls but they were the only explorers to survive their visit there. So, points go to them.

Edwards & Hunt - Almost Heroes

Sure, everyone knows about Lewis and Clarke. But Edwards and Hunt have sadly been lost to history. Who would have thought that there was a rival gang of overweight explorer fighting bears, Indians, and eagles while trying to discove the Pacific Ocean? Where’s their holiday??

The drama looks like an interesting adventure. After losing his Tom Hanks in the attacks on the World Trade Center, a young boy is convinced that his father left a hidden message for him somewhere in New York City. He explores the five boroughs in search of a lock that fits the key his dad left behind, and moves past his complicated feelings of loss to see that there is more to the world around him. It also looks emotionally draining. He was such a fun dad.

1. Superman Returns

Time Away: 19 Years

This 2006 sequel was meant to return the original superhero franchise to greatness-instead in buried the series so dee the Man of Steel requires a total restart, due in 2013. What went wrong? The first film made you believe a man could fly, the second upped the ante with a superhuman fistfight…and in Superman Returns? Superman saved a plane. And stopped a bank robbery, I think. Too much talk, an unneeded super-kid and yet another appearance by Lex Luthor sunk this promising film at the script stage.

2. Escape From L.A.

Time Away: 15 Years

John Carpenter‘s 1996 sequel to his urban classic isn’t really a bad movie. The problem is that most fans had seen it already in 1981…when it was called Escape From New York. Story, side characters, jokes and even the climax are all recycled beat for beat from the original. Fans were ready to see a new Snake Plissken adventure, they just didn’t want to pay to see the same adventure they already owned on VHS (It was the 90′s, don’t judge me!).

3 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Time Away: 19 Years

Harrison Ford teased a fourth Indiana Jones outing for years…and he should have kept teasing, because what we got were aliens and Shia Labeouf. The film starts out well enough, but suffers from a weak antagonist, the bizarre use of aliens instead of the mystical, and a second half that moves slower than Willie Scott in a death trap (I’m not proud of that line). But it does bring back Karen Allen, and who isn’t cheered up when Karen Allen is around?

Howard has let it be known at Sony that he has no interest in filming Tom Hanks chasing after priests in The Lost Symbol. An insider tells Deadline, “He just didn’t want to do that thing over and over, the same character and the same stories.” Also, that hair.

Though Howard was eager to re-team with Hanks on the Somali pirate film based on the bestselling book A Captain’s Duty. But in the end, Sony’s Amy Pascal didn’t feel Howard was the right fit for the project. “Ron did want to direct the Somali pirate movie. But Amy felt she wanted a different director. Nothing personal,” an insider explained. One agent involved in the film said, “She wanted someone hotter and cooler.” The project was offered to Paul Greengrass, who is now in talks, but it seems to me that if you want someone hotter and cooler than Ron Howard, you need only look one place. The Fonz.

Elling

Getting released from the mental institution in Elling

This  little known gem from Norway, released in 2001, focuses on a sensitive man who has a knack for poetry. Sheltered by his mother all his life, he is forced to live in a state institution following her death. There, he meets and befriends two odd individuals. The trio end up living together after their release. The film picked up several prestigious movie awards and was even nominated for an Oscar.

My Sassy Girl

The sassy girl getting a piggy back ride

This Korean production was first shown in 2001 was a surprise hit in Asia. The film was based on the internet writings of a young man about his strange and complicated relationship with an equally strange but beautiful girl. My Sassy Girl stars Gianna Jun and Tae-hyun Cha. The movie did so well that it spawned an American remake The American version pales in comparison though so if you have not seen either, picking up the original Korean release is a must.

Amélie

Young Amelie photographing a bunny-shaped cloud

Released in 2001, Amélie is an imaginative comedy starring the lovely Audrey Tautou. Sharp eyed movie goers may recognize a slightly older Tantou performing opposite Tom Hanks in The Da Vinci Code. The film revolves around a shy young woman who makes it her mission in life to make people happy. She also pursues a handsome weirdo who collects discarded pictures from photo booths. This French classic has had a tremendous impact on pop culture—we’ve all see the traveling garden gnome, right? It originated in Amélie.

Shaolin Soccer

Cleat to face kick in Shaolin Soccer

For something a little more ridiculous, why not consider the Hong Kong-made Shaolin Soccer? Written, directed and starring the talented Stephen Chow, the film effectively merges martial arts and soccer action. One of the best slapstick comedies of its kind, Shaolin Soccer tells of a Shaolin Kung-Fu practitioner who meets a former soccer coach. Chow, who plays a Shaolin master combines his martial arts abilities with his soccer to become an amazing player and even helps train other players who all end up playing as teammates. Together they hope to compete in and win a prestigious soccer tournament.

3 Idiots

The 3 Idiots on butt stools

In this offbeat Bollywood flick, three college buddies made a bet to see who would become the most successful. They meet ten years later but only two of the three show up. Worried, the pair search for their missing friend. Those not familiar with films from the Indian subcontinent should expect the gratuitous song and dance numbers with women dressed in loud, bright colors. A tad long, this zany movie’s running time clocks in at almost three hours.

Did Michael Bay Use The Same Incomprehensible Footage In Two Movies?

Uh, apparently there was another movie that opened this weekend too. It’s called Larry Crowne, a romantic comedy directed by up-and-comer Tom Hanks, who’s probably going to have a little trouble getting work after its paltry $14 million-dollar opening weekend. Maybe next time, kid. (The Playlist)

Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) gets fired from U-Mart. He can’t get a good job since he skipped college to join the Navy, so he goes back to community college. Mercy Tainot (Julia Roberts) teaches his secondary level speech course so he learns to come out of his shell, along with the help of all his wacky classmates.

New 'Larry Crowne' Trailer Is Like A More Serious 'Back To School'

I’ll admit, the first impression is not good. It already looks bad on paper and even the first act just makes you defensive, like this movie’s going to annoy you with quirk. Damned if the quirk wasn’t genuine though. I know a lot of my colleagues hated it. Maybe they went to the bathroom during the part where it wins you over so they sat through the rest thinking it was still annoying.

Every oral report Tainot assigns is basically a sketch comedy montage. The characters do the rest. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is so adorable you forgive her having to play Talia as one dimensionally sassy. Talia’s so perky she names Larry Lance and gives him a new wardrobe. Talia’s biker boyfriend Dell Gordo (Wilmer Valderrama) snaps his fingers like West Side Story. Steve Dibiasi (Rami Malek) thinks clairvoyant is someone’s name. Dave Mack (Malcolm Barrett) always gives the funniest reports. His Star Trek fandom manages to be funny even though we’ve seen that joke before. It’s the context and sincerity.

Roberts gives her best performance in a decade. She embraces the bitter, burnt out professor, putting real character into Mercy’s dirty looks. Bryan Cranston infuses so much character into her husband Dean, three scenes are all he needs. Hanks plays it really goofy, slow talking and bumbling on his scooter.

I’ve been waiting for a movie to go loose with its plot and just focus on the experience. We all know the same old structure. Larry’s going to get together with Mercy, you don’t need to construct an Inception plot to convince us that it works out. Larry Crowne focuses on the individual moments. I know, Tree of Life did that too, but that was about an abusive father and this is about a middle-aged dude going back to college.

I think Larry Crowne captures the nostalgia Super 8 failed to. Larry’s nostalgia isn’t for early childhood, it’s for the college phase of starting one’s adult life. So Larry can’t repeat elementary school but they can cram all those random whimsical encounters into a young adult setting.

His groove defies translation:

Britney Spears Hates Everyone (CagePotato)

Russian Drug Eats Your Face Off (BarstoolSports)

Masters Of The Universe Cosplay (Holytaco)

Ebert Learns A Writing Lesson (FilmDrunk)

Scandalous Miss USA Bikini Pic (CelebJihad)

Block Buster Is Still Open (Unreality)

Superman 2 Turns 30 (Moviefone)

Rihanna Hotness (Maxim)

Fassbender Likes To Spank (Pajiba)

Cars Redone As Pixar Characters (NextMovie)

Werdum Claims He Beat Himself (CagePotato)

Facebook Breakup Season (MadeMan)

3 Million Copies Of Portal Sold (Gamefront)

Suelyn Madeiros Hotness (TuVez)

Not a lot of details on plot, except that it’s a “live-action family film about space adventure.” Oh, and it’ll be in 3D because of course it will be. Given that it’s a space adventure starring Tom Hanks based on an action figure, it seems to me that Toy Story comparisons are inevitable – more specifically, Buzz Lightyear comparisons. A quick Google tells me that Major Matt is from 1966, so he predates Buzz Lightyear by about 30 years, and I think it’s safe to say probably served as an inspiration for Buzz. It’d be pretty neat if Tom Hanks could end up voicing both Buzz Lightyear’s BFF, Woody, and one of the characters to inspire him, Major Matt Mason. (The Hollywood Reporter)

The new trailer is very similar to the previous one. Middle-aged nerdy guy gets fired from the box factory, enrolls in college, bangs hot teacher. It’s kind of like Back To School without the awesome parts. This time around, George Takei chews the scenery as an economics professor. Here’s hoping he goes all Kinison and has a screaming fit. And then Cedric the Entertainer says, “Damn!” Please take note Hollywood, this is the closest that Cedric the Entertainer should be to a Back To School remake.

The second film on his desk blotter is Rush, a Formula One racing drama written by Peter Morgan. The story follows the near-deadly 1976 season of driver Niki Lauda. The screenplay also details Lauda’s rivalry with driver James Hunt, both on and off the track. It also deals with the 1976 German Grand Prix where Lauda spun out of control and burst into flames, causing him to nearly burn to death and lose his right ear. But that didn’t stop him from pulling himself out of bed to face Hunt in several more races. Which he lost. So, yeah, that’s kind of a bummer ending. Maybe they should tell the tale backwards, Memento style.

And finally, the third film Greengrass is considering is a secret. So we’d better not catch you snooping around in Mom and Dad’s closet. You’ll ruin the surprise. (Vulture)

“Mitchell’s 2004 novel follows six storylines that include a 19th century American notary, a poor British musician in the 1930s, a journalist in 1970s California, a vanity press publisher in the early 21st century, a rebellious clone in the near future and a primitive Hawaiian tribesman surviving after the apocalypse. Each actor in the film will be playing multiple roles.”

This is either going to be amazing or terrible. Or, you know, somewhere in between. Anyway, Hugo Weaving has signed on, which is continuing his relationship with the Wachowskis through the Matrix trilogy and V for Vendetta. He’s joining Tom Hanks, along with Halle Berry and Ben Whishaw. So be sure to keep them in your thoughts – they definitely have their work cut out for them. (The Hollywood Reporter)

HBO is in talks to bring Gaiman’s book American Gods to their network as a new series. The backdrop for this story is that old school religious gods and mythological creatures are losing power as less people worship them, and the new “gods” of technology and the media are taking their place. So, when The Beatles said they were “more popular than Jesus,” the subtext was that they were acquiring more god-power than him too. The heroes in American Gods are criminals, and one of whom turns out to be an old fashioned spiritual overlord who’s recruiting an army for a war between the gods. And there you go.

The plan is to have Gaiman team up with top cinematographer Robert Richardson (Inglourious Basterds, Kill Bill) to co-write the pilot. The Playtone Company’s Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks (the guy from the Dragnet movie) brought the book to HBO, so they’ll surely want to “play gods” for this show too.

One thing I can say is that, for the most part, I’m on board with The G-Man. Coraline kicked ass, his comics work is rightfully celebrated, and Beowulf would have been a lot better if the motion capture didn’t steal all the characters souls. Many fanboys worship him, which is why he’s growing in power as we speak… (Deadline)

Tom Hanksy: Street Artist

They’ll get some help in front of the camera from scrappy young upstart Tom Hanks, who has signed on to star in the long-gestating project. Filming on the project starts in September, though few other details are known. Deadline cracks this egg of knowledge on us, conveying Cloud Atlas is:

An epic story of humankind in which the actions and consequences of our lives impact one another throughout the past, present and future as one soul is shaped from a murderer into a savior and a single act of kindness ripples out for centuries to inspire a revolution.

I’m just gonna trust the team to make it a really good film, because I have no idea what the hell I just read.

However, Hanks will make his glorious return to sitcomdom on an upcoming episode of NBC’s “30 Rock.” There’s no information yet on who the Nicest Guy In The Universe will play in Tina Fey‘s much-lauded, much-ratings-challenged show – only that the star recently tweeted, “I’m on’30 Rock‘!” That seems to be a good indication that he will, indeed, be on “30 Rock.”

Since the show-within-a-show is “The Girlie Show,” maybe Hanks wants to return to his cross-dressing roots? But if his character was trying to pass as a chick, wouldn’t he be outed by such highly-observant, intellectual heavyweights like Tracy and Jenna? Yeah, I guess it could be the Susan B. Anthony Hotel all over again. (Hollywood Reporter)

Traditionally, at least at the Friars’ Club Roasts, the motto has always been “We only roast the ones we love,” meaning that while the jokes could often be harsh, at the end of the day, the roastee knew he was among friends. But since Comedy Central branched off to do their own roasts in 2003, the idea of only roasting a friend seems to have fallen by the wayside. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the latest victim, Donald Trump. Does anyone really believe that most of that crowd had respect for “The Donald?” Even roast regular, Lisa Lampanelli, admitted, “I broke the (roast) rule because the money’s really good.”

So as long as we’re open to roasting anyone, friend or foe, here are nine celebrities that deserve to be roasted.

Jay Leno

No matter what you personally think of Leno’s comedy, it’s no secret that he isn’t well respected by many of his fellow comedians. Imagine letting them all loose on him at the same time. Recently, he was semi-roasted at Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Awards, so maybe, he’d be up for it. If so, hopefully the ghosts of Johnny Carson and Bill Hicks will be able to make an appearance.

Roger Ebert

I like Rogert Ebert, but there’s no getting around the fact that he has made a career off of ripping apart people’s films. Imagine a room full of jilted actors and directors waiting to take their revenge. The fact that Ebert no longer has a lower jaw would certainly add an uncomfortable element. These roasts are known for their harshness, but it would take some pretty big balls to make fun of a man who is missing half his face.

Oprah

Speaking of Ebert, let’s move on to his former girlfriend, Oprah. Well, girlfriend is a little strong, since they only went on a few dates. But at any rate, when it comes to egos, they don’t get much bigger than Oprah’s. And when it comes to targets, they don’t get much bigger than Oprah. No, that wasn’t a weight joke, although I’m sure there would be plenty of those, not to mention jokes about Stedman, rumored lesbianism, the throngs of stupid housewives who worship her, etc.

George Lucas

George Lucas lives in a bubble. Sure, it has a fancy name (Skywalker Ranch), but it’s a fantasy world in which he is king, and every idea he has is pure gold. As such, he’s blissfully unaware that his last three movies were horseshit. With the money they brought it, I can’t say that I blame him being delusional. Even so, imagine how much fun it would be to get a group of angry fan boys together for a Lucas roast. I’m sure Jake Lloyd and the guy who voiced Jar Jar might want to vent, as well.

Sean Penn

Maybe I’m wrong, but Sean Penn often comes across as a self-important asshole. When he was spoofed in the film, Team America: World Police, he wrote an angry letter in response rather than laughing it off or simply ignoring it. That’s why I’d love to see him in a roast. It’s always funnier when the targets take themselves seriously. Besides, it would take some real balls to get up on stage and mock Penn to his face, because there’s a very real possibility he would snap and beat the shit out of you.

Mel Gibson

In Hollywood, there’s probably no one more hated than Mel Gibson. That alone makes him the perfect target for a roast. Every Jewish comedian in the industry would be lining up to take shots at him, and given what we know about Mel, his rebuttal would probably be pretty colorful (i.e. offensive and insane).

Harvey Weinstein

As a producer, Harvey Weinstein has made some big films. He’s also made some big enemies. After all, to paraphrase”The Simpsons,” you don’t become a millionaire by writing a lot of checks. It’s a producers job to screw people out of money, but when you’ve got a commie like Michael Moore taking you to court over millions of dollars, chances are you’re taking it too far. A roast where the entertainment industry was allowed to vent would be highly entertaining.

Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons has been the butt of jokes for years, especially when appearing on David Letterman. But “The Late Show” looks like an episode of “Veggie Tales” when compared to a Comedy Central roast. Odds are 2:1 that Simmons would end up crying. I’d watch that.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is widely considered the nicest guy in Hollywood. That’s why it would be so funny to see Jeff Ross and Lisa Lampanelli taking the piss out of him. And it would be just as funny to see Tom Hanks making jokes about Lisa Lampanelli’s giant vagina.

What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean?

A good start.

As the quote from Philadelphia shows, Hollywood has a love-hate relationship with lawyers. Time after time, filmmakers depict lawyers as money-grubbing parasites who are more interested getting a pay check than seeing justice served. But at the same time, there are countless films that depict lawyers as champions of the underdog, defending the poor and weak in the face of overwhelming odds. Still others, like The Lincoln Lawyer, fall in the middle, and show the complex nature of a job where people are often asked to chose between what’s right and what’s legal. Regardless of what side of the fence they fall, we definitely want the following nine movie lawyers on our side if we ever end up in a court room. (Spoilers Ahead)

Joe Miller – Philadelphia

When it comes to people you don’t want to sue, a high-profile law firm is probably at the top of the list. So when lawyer Andrew Beckett seeks to sue his former firm for discrimination, he has a hard time finding someone who will take the case. Despite his initial reluctance, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) agrees to take Beckett on as a client, and manages to beat the prestigious law firm at its own game.

Wild Things – Ken Bowden

When two students falsely accuse high-school guidance counselor Sam Lombardo of rape, he soon finds himself out of a job and facing jail time. To make matters worse, one of the girls comes from a very powerful family, which makes finding a reputable lawyer difficult. But who needs reputable when you’ve got Ken Bowden (Bill Murray). This sleazy ambulance chaser takes on the case, and actually manages to clear his client’s name. Of course, it was all a setup from start to finish, but at the end of the day, Bowden is one of the last men standing. You have to respect that.

Alan Dershowitz – Reversal of Fortune

The nice thing about Alan Dershowitz is he’s a real lawyer. This Harvard Law professor wrote the book on which the film is based. It tells the story of the trial of Claus von Bülow, who was accused of attempting to murder his wife. Dershowitz also went on to help with OJ Simpson’s defense. So if anyone out there is thinking of murdering their wife, you know who to call. Bring money.

Frank Galvin – The Verdict

Frank Galvin is ambulance chasing lawyer who lost a promising career because of his alcoholism. When a friend sets him up with a slam-dunk case that is sure to settle out of court, he has a change of heart, and decides to see the case though and no take the payout. Despite the odds, and the wishes of everyone involved, he manages to win the case. His clients are awarded a sum far in excess of what they would have received in the settlement, while Frank wins his redemption.

Vinny Gambini – My Cousin Vinnie

On paper, Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci) isn’t exactly what you’d look for in a defense attorney, especially if you were being charged with murder. But that just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover (or by its five failed attempts to pass the bar exam). Despite the fact that he has no experience in criminal court, Gambini manages to win a not guilty verdict for his clients based mainly on his girlfriend’s knowledge of cars and his personal experience with cooked grits. That’s what I call impressive.

Elle Woods – Legally Blonde

Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is a vapid socialite who is more worried about her accessories than the inner workings of the legal system. But when her boyfriend leaves her because he can’t take her seriously, she applies to law school in order to prove him wrong. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d actually hire her as an attorney. But I’ve always wanted to bang Reese Witherspoon), so she made the list.

Fletcher Reede – Liar Liar

Defense attorneys lie. There’s no other way to say it. It’s there job to defend a client, even if they are guilty. So, imagine how difficult it would be for a defense attorney who couldn’t tell a lie. Fletcher Reede (Jim Carrey) learned that the hard way in Liar Liar. When his son’s birthday wish comes true, Reede finds himself unable to tell the slightest fib, yet, he somehow manages to win the case. Now that’s some top-notch lawyering.

Tom Hagen – The Godfather II

If you’re going to run a crime family, you better have a good lawyer. The Corleone family has the best. Tom Hagen acts as the family’s consigliere, attending to any legal or political issues that arise. How good is he? After intimidating a witness (via his brother) into not testifying at a congressional hearing, he has the stones to demand an apology. Nice.

Atticus Finch – To Kill a Mocking Bird

When it comes to movie lawyers, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is the character by which all others are measured. In fact, Peck’s portrayal is so moving, that you might actually forget he didn’t win the case. Even so, if your life was on the line, you’d be lucky to have a lawyer like this on your side.

“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)

There are no plot details yet, but if history is any indicator Tim Allen will mug for the camera while smelling hippo farts and Hanks will be trapped in the coils of an anaconda. Bonus points to Shulman if he includes the line, “There’s a snake in my boat!” (Deadline)

Anyway, you can watch the clip here, from Hanks’ appearance last night on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The clip from the movie comes in at around one minute into the video. (via The Playlist)

The nicest guy in Hollywood, without a doubt.