Tom Hanks Starring In Comedy Remake A Man Called Ove

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It's not often you find Tom Hanks lending his abilities to a remake – The Ladykillers, despite the presence of the Coen brothers behind the camera, isn't exactly a shining example of a CV entry for anyone involved – but he's taking the chance again, landing the lead role in a new version of Swedish comedy A Man Called Ove.

Hannes Holm's film was released in Sweden in 2015 and earned itself an Oscar nomination. It's taken a little longer to reach elsewhere (the film opened in the UK this past June), but has clearly set the antenna wagging in Hollywood.

Based on Fredrik Backman's bestseller, the story follows a grumpy widower whose sense of unhappiness is heightened when he's unceremoniously dumped as head of the neighbourhood association where he lives. With that following him forced to retire from his job, he decides to commit suicide, only to have every attempt thwarted by a situation leading him to help a needy friend or neighbour. And that starts to alter his outlook on life...

“I strongly believe that A Man Called Ove is a universal story that resonates strongly with an American and international audience," producer Fredrik Wikström Nicastro, who is shepherding the film along Hanks and his Playtone team, tells Deadline. "Making this film with one of the world’s best and most acclaimed actors gives A Man Called Ove the best possible opportunity to once again touch the hearts of audiences worldwide." The new version will now be on the look out for a writer and director.

Hanks most recently worked with old pal Steven Spielberg on The Post, due 19 January. And he'll be back as Woody for Toy Story 4, out 21 June 2019.

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