‹ All people
Sneakers
American Gangster
Rollerball
It's Complicated
It's Complicated
After Hours
Marathon Man
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Stats
- Episodes featuring their films
- 12
- Movies in this archive
- 16
Rewatchables episodes featuring Tom Hanks’s films
Forrest Gump
1994 film
Bill Simmons · Chris Ryan · Sean Fennessey · Mallory Rubin
Aired February 13, 2024
Sleepless in Seattle
1993 film
Bill Simmons · Juliet Litman · Amanda Dobbins
Aired February 14, 2023
Displaying all 12 episodes
Mentioned in discussions
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Hanks as Marty; an older Tom Cruise as Cosmo
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:04Read transcript
- Hanks is the clear lead-role choice; Cruise’s association with running makes the slow walk an amusing counterexample. — Kyle Brandt
- An older Cruise with Magnolia and Vanilla Sky energy is proposed as Cosmo, while Hanks remains the final answer. — Bill Simmons
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Hanks as Richie Roberts
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:06Read transcript
- Tom Cruise is proposed as Richie because he would commit to night-school preparation — Chris Ryan
- The objection is that Cruise would feel implausible as a 1971 New York detective
- A joke alternative casts Cruise as Frank Lucas
- Tom Hanks is selected for Richie Roberts — Bill Simmons
- Martin Scorsese is selected over Steven Spielberg — Bill Simmons
- Philip Seymour Hoffman is selected for Trupo, with Richie as an intriguing alternative
- Marisa Tomei is added as another casting possibility — Bill Simmons
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Cruise as Jonathan
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:29Read transcript
- Tom Cruise wins the lead role decisively. — Brian Koppelman
- Tom Hanks is instead proposed for Bartholomew or, as a younger actor, Moonpie. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:18Read transcript
- Cruise is preferred for the helmet, bald-cap, and cop-role contrast.
Casting What-Ifs
Unverified Jake candidates: Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:59Read transcript
- Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas and Tom Hanks are reported Jake candidates, but the reliability is explicitly doubted. — Bill Simmons
Recasting Couch
Sam Shepard, Tommy Lee Jones or Tom Hanks as Adam; Adam Brody as Harley; early Chris Pratt as a child
Flex pick · Mina Kimes
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:25:44Read transcript
- Nicholson or Harrison Ford might make viewers demand a romantic reunion, unlike Baldwin’s charming but unsuitable Jake. — Amanda Dobbins
- Sam Shepard is favored for Adam’s sensitive charisma; Dennis Quaid and Cruise are rejected.
- Tommy Lee Jones could play a blue-collar contractor; Dustin Hoffman offers a Kramer vs. Kramer callback but is judged too odd and insufficiently competitive romantically. — Mina Kimes
- Recasting was the flex already used. — Mina Kimes
- Michael Douglas is floated as Adam, with concern that his sexual charisma would overpower the role.
- Hanks is proposed as Adam and encouraged to take supporting romantic-comedy roles again.
- An early-career, funny Chris Pratt could improve one child role, although adding another NBC sitcom star might overload the cast.
- Adam Brody replacing Krasinski gains agreement; the earlier, charming Krasinski is nevertheless preferred.
Recasting Couch
Michael Keaton preferred; Tom Hanks; alternative actors by era
In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:18Read transcript
- 1985 Hanks is proposed as Paul for stronger awkward-romance comic timing, although his lack of kookiness is questioned. — Bill Simmons
- Keaton becomes the preferred recast for chaotic energy, while Dunne’s original performance remains loved; Guttenberg is plausible but less desired. — Sean Fennessey
- McCarthy is too young, Reinhold is floated, and alternate eras suggest Cusack circa1990, Josh Hamilton circa1996–97 and Hoffman circa2004–05. — Sean Fennessey
- Eisenberg circa2010–11 and Hader circa2013–14 are proposed; Chalamet seems too handsome and Cooper Hoffman promising but perhaps too young. — Bill Simmons
Cruise or Hanks?
Tom Cruise as Babe
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:20Read transcript
- Tom Cruise is selected for Babe without hesitation. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Hanks is tentatively proposed for Doc, though considered less ideal. — Bill Simmons
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:41Read transcript
- Tom Hanks is selected over Tom Cruise. — Amanda Dobbins
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:58Read transcript
- The panel splits over Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, with Hanks supported by Road to Perdition and Cruise questioned for the accent.
- Craig breaks the tie for Cruise because his unintentional comedy and willingness to attempt the accent fit the role. — Craig Horlbeck
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:53Read transcript
- Tom Hanks wins because he better fits Roy's ordinary working-life identity.
- Tom Cruise is praised as the stronger choice for Roy's obsession but risks turning the story into an action movie.
Recasting Couch
Keep the director; consider John Cazale, James Brolin, O.J. Simpson, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Nicolas Cage, Richard Gere, Bruce Willis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Chadwick Boseman
In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:12Read transcript
- The panel initially finds no director replacement and briefly proposes John Cazale, James Brolin, or O.J. Simpson for Larry Butler. — Bill Simmons
- Tom Hanks is proposed as Roy in a 1987 version. — Bill Simmons
- Will Smith is proposed for a 1997 version and questioned as too handsome or heroic. — Bill Simmons
- Nicolas Cage is proposed as another 1997 Roy. — Bill Simmons
- Richard Gere is considered and rejected as too attractive or too old for the 1997 role.
- Bruce Willis is considered and rejected as too old for the 1997 role. — Sean Fennessey
- Philip Seymour Hoffman is proposed for a 2007 version.
- Chadwick Boseman is proposed for a 2017 version.
Displaying discussions 37 - 48 of 156 in total
Films in the archive
A League of Their Own
1992
Apollo 13
1995
Bachelor Party
1984
Big
1988
Captain Phillips
2013
Cast Away
2000
Catch Me If You Can
2002
Forrest Gump
1994
Philadelphia
1993
Saving Private Ryan
1998
Sleepless in Seattle
1993
Splash
1984