Ep 39. Tom Hanks, Captain of the "Filmmaking Racket"

For fans of Tom Hanks, this episode of Popcorn With Peter Travers, season 6 episode 39, is a must-watch. The beloved actor sat down with Peter Travers to talk about his latest film, "News of the World," as well as his illustrious career in Hollywood.

Travers kicked off the interview by praising Hanks for his ability to morph into any character he portrays onscreen. Hanks, however, is quick to deflect the attention, insisting that he's "just a guy who's been lucky enough to play some great roles."

The two then dive into Hanks' latest role in "News of the World," a western drama directed by Paul Greengrass. Hanks plays Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran-turned-newsreader who travels from town to town reading the news to locals.

Hanks opens up about the challenges of playing a character from a different time period and his deep respect for the craft of acting. "You have to put yourself in the mindset of someone from the 1800s," Hanks explains. "You have to think about how they move, how they talk, how they interact with others."

Travers and Hanks also discuss some of the actor's most iconic roles, including his turn as Forrest Gump in the '90s classic, "Forrest Gump." Hanks reveals that he wasn't sure about the movie at first but was won over by the script and the chance to work with director Robert Zemeckis.

They also talk about Hanks' collaborations with director Steven Spielberg, including the war epic "Saving Private Ryan" and the Cold War drama "Bridge of Spies." Hanks praises Spielberg for his attention to detail and his ability to create immersive worlds onscreen.

As the interview winds down, Travers brings up Hanks' role as a producer on the HBO series "Band of Brothers" and asks if he has any interest in directing in the future. Hanks admits that he's thought about it but says he's content to let other filmmakers take the lead for now.

Overall, this episode of Popcorn With Peter Travers is a must-watch for anyone who loves Tom Hanks and wants to learn more about his process as an actor. With Travers' thoughtful questions and Hanks' candid responses, it's a fascinating conversation that's sure to leave viewers even more in awe of this Hollywood icon.