Tom Hanks in Talks for ‘Theo of Golden’

Tom Hanks arrives at the 14th Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / @ A.M.P.A.S Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

Tom Hanks is in talks to star in ‘Theo of Golden.’
Warner Bros. is chasing the rights to the surprise bestseller by Allen Levi.
No director is attached yet.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard of a novel making waves in Hollywood. Obviously, it happens a lot more than is always reported, but few come with as big a name as Tom Hanks.

Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is closing in on the rights to Allen Levi’s much-buzzed-about novel ‘Theo of Golden’ and has none other than Hanks circling the chance to star.

This one is strictly at an embryonic stage for now, with no director attached and both the rights and Hanks’ deal yet to close. But if it all comes together, expect it to be seen as a potential awards-bait affair (learn more about the book below).

What’s the story of ‘Theo of Golden’?

Tom Hanks onstage during the live ABC telecast of the 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9th, 2020. Credit/Provider: Blaine Ohigashi / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Set in the fictional town of Golden, a man named Theo arrives and purchases pencil portraits of locals that are displayed in a coffee shop. He returns them to each subject, and these visits reveal stories and relationships, and they lead to Theo to come to terms with tragedy in his past.

Levi’s book was self-published in 2023 with little fanfare or promotion, by a first-time author who veered from a law career to making music from on an island he lives on in Georgia. The novel caught on slowly through word of mouth, aided by the herculean efforts of his niece Aron Ritchie, who found ways to increase the book’s visibility.

It has since sold over 3.5 million copies stateside. It has been published in 43 languages and was a No. 1 bestseller in places like the Netherlands, Italy and the UK.

Where else can we see Tom Hanks?

Hanks reprised the role of Woody in Pixar’s latest hit ‘Toy Story 5’ this summer. He’s most recently worked on movies including World War II-set sequel ‘Greyhound 2’ and baseball drama ‘The Comebacker.’