Tom Hanks’ First Directorial Film Finds Home on Prime Video Nearly Three Decades After Release: Everything You Should Know
Tom Hanks’ directorial debut is set to be available on Prime Video. The Forrest Gump actor helmed his first film in 1996 with That Thing You Do, which was well-received by audiences and critics alike.
The movie holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was a box office hit. Hanks not only directed but also wrote the film during the era of Beetle music’s popularity in pop culture.
Hanks also starred in the film as Mr. White alongside Tom Everest Scott, Steve Zahn, Liv Tyler, and Ethan Embry, among others.
The plot revolves around a pop rock band in the 1960s, led by jazz enthusiast Guy, whose music propels them to success but also draws comparisons to The Beatles.
Along with the main cast, That Thing You Do features cameo appearances by Chris Isaak, Peter Scolari, Kevin Pollak, Jonathan Demme, Bryan Cranston, and even Hanks’ son Colin Hanks and wife Rita Wilson.
That Thing You Do celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, with the cast reflecting on their experience making the film.
Hanks shared his inspiration for the film, saying, “I was always fascinated by [rock group] Jan and Dean when I was growing up in high school. The concept of a band that stays together long enough to make it through their first tour and breaks up—I thought it was just so real.”
Wilson added, “It started with a band having a one-hit wonder. And then the world moved on to a new one-hit wonder. That was the seed of the idea.”
Embry, who played T.B. Player, recalled how he got the role in Hanks’s film, mentioning his punk rock style and unique audition approach.
The release date for the film on Prime Video will be announced soon.
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