Tom Hanks Was “Heartbroken” His WWII War Epic Didn’t Make The Big Screen – Now it’s Dominating Streaming
By Adam Blevins
Published 3 days ago
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Tom Hanks is a six-time Oscar nominee and a two-time winner with some iconic films under his belt, but one of the more recent outings from the star has stumbled into a shocking run of streaming success. Hanks stars alongside Elisabeth Shue and Stephen Graham in Greyhound, a WWII film following an inexperienced Navy Commander tasked with leading an Allied convoy against a German submarine wolf pack. Greyhound hit Apple TV+ on June 12, 2020, and the film has returned to streaming charts five years later, clinging to a spot in the top 10 in over 40 countries. Greyhound was nominated for Best Sound at the 2021 Academy Awards and earned a “certified fresh” 78% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 76% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter.
During a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Hanks said he was “absolutely heartbroken” that Greyhound was released straight to streaming and not in movie theaters. He admitted that he understood the decision and that it made sense for everyone to be able to watch it at the same time, but also that the “difference in picture and sound quality” between the big screen and a living room TV can’t be denied. In addition to starring in the film, Hanks also wrote the script for Greyhound, which is based on the novel The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester. Aaron Schneider stepped behind the camera to direct, and he’s also known for his work as a cinematographer and second unit director on Supernatural and Titanic. Greyhound was the first feature film Hanks had written since penning Larry Crowne, his 2011 rom-com with Julia Roberts.
Will There Be a ‘Greyhound 2’?
Apple TV+ announced earlier this year that a sequel to Greyhound is officially in the works, with Tom Hanks expected to return as Commander Ernie Krause. It was also reported that Hanks will return to write the script for the sequel, with several undisclosed creatives and stars returning from the first film. Greyhound 2, which is currently lacking an official title or release date, is expected to begin filming next year. Hanks will also reprise his role as Woody in Toy Story 5, which is coming to theaters in almost exactly one year on June 19, 2026.
Greyhound is one of the most popular movies in the world on Apple TV+. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates and coverage of Hanks’ future projects.
