Tom Hanks News

Disney began production today on Saving Mr. Banks, the account of Walt Disney's twenty-year pursuit of the film rights to P.L. Travers' popular novel, Mary Poppins, and the testy partnership the upbeat filmmaker develops with the uptight author during the project's pre-production in 1961.

For the past 25 years, veteran entertainment journalist Francine Brokaw has interviewed countless celebrities, such as Johnny Depp, Madonna, Kevin Spacey, and Tom Hanks-and she's now discussing the memorable moments of her career (as well as those she'd like to forget) in her new book, Beyond the Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists (Sourced Media Books; September 2012; $14.99; ISBN 978-1937458225, Paperback).

'Cloud Atlas' explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

Comedian Jeremy Elwood is taking to the stage at The Court Theatre in the world première of new play THE SLAPDASH ASSASSIN. Elwood trades a microphone for a handgun in an Irish comedy 'as black as a pint of Guinness'.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Fall 2012 season with the return engagement of Tony Award-winning actress and singer BETTY BUCKLEY. In an exclusive four-week run, Ms. Buckley will premiere her new collection of songs "The Other Women: The Vixens of Broadway." She will perform highlights from some of Broadway's most popular shows, but will celebrate the second female leads, who have introduced classics like "When You're Good to Mama" (Chicago), Another Suitcase In Another Hall (Evita), "I Know Things Now (Into the Woods), "Ribbons Down My Back" (Hello, Dolly!), "Whatever Lola Wants" (Damn Yankees) and "The Miller's Son" (A Little Night Music). Ms. Buckley - who will be joined by Christian Jacob on piano, Tony Marino on bass, Vic Juris on guitar and Todd Isler on drums - will also feature a selection from her new CD Ah Men! The Boys of Broadway, from Palmetto Records, which is based on last year's acclaimed Feinstein's show. "The Other Woman: The Vixens of Broadway" will run from October 2 - 27 at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Today, we bring you a list of the most-read stories in our regional markets for the week of September 10 in another edition of 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week'. Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, see what productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!

National Geographic Channel President Howard T. Owens announced today that actor, producer, writer and director Tom Hanks is joining the two-hour television event KILLING LINCOLN from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott's Scott Free Productions.

'Cloud Atlas' explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

Cloud Atlas is an epic adventure-drama film written and directed by Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer (also co-composer), and Andy Wachowski. It was adapted from the 2004 novel of the same name by David Mitchell. The film premiered on September 9, 2012 at the 37th Toronto International Film Festival, and you can check oiut photos from the premiere below!

Sting, Trudie Styler, Steve Martin, Ruben Blades, and Luba Mason have joined previously announced stars Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Amy Grant, and Vince Gill, for a benefit concert that showcases some of America's most talented families. Paul Simon will also take the stage, alongside wife Edie Brickell at this once-in-a-lifetime evening.

Stand Up To Cancer today announced that more than $81 million has been pledged so far in connection with its star-studded September 7 'roadblock' fundraising telecast to accelerate ground-breaking research and bring new treatments to patients as quickly as possible, including pediatric cancer patients through the creation of a new pediatric cancer research 'Dream Team.'

Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Sofía Vergara, Eric Stonestreet, Ray Romano, Felicity Huffman, Max Greenfield, Stacy Keibler, Maura Tierney, Rocco DiSpirito, Ethan Zohn and Olympic Gold Medalists Gabrielle Douglas and Missy Franklin will participate in Stand Up To Cancer's landmark event tonight, September 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT). They join celebrities from film, television, music and sports in a nationally televised broadcast which will fund groundbreaking translational research that delivers new therapies to cancer patients quickly and save lives. Watch the live stream on Zap2It HERE!

Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Sofía Vergara, Eric Stonestreet, Ray Romano, Felicity Huffman, Max Greenfield, Stacy Keibler, Maura Tierney, Rocco DiSpirito, Ethan Zohn and Olympic Gold Medalists Gabrielle Douglas and Missy Franklin will participate in Stand Up To Cancer's landmark event tonight, SEPTEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT).

Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Sofía Vergara, Eric Stonestreet, Ray Romano, Felicity Huffman, Max Greenfield, Stacy Keibler, Maura Tierney, Rocco DiSpirito, Ethan Zohn and Olympic Gold Medalists Gabrielle Douglas and Missy Franklin will participate in Stand Up To Cancer's landmark event on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT).

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present the regional premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new play O Beautiful, October 4 - 14 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

Actor Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at age 54. Today, friends, colleagues and fellow actors expressed their sadness at the passing of the beloved actor on Twitter

The Associated Press reports that actor Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at age 54. According to a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily, Duncan died Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack.

The 60th edition of the San Sebastian Festival will this year bestow its Donostia Awards on actors John Travolta, Ewan McGregor and Tommy Lee Jones and the Special 60th Anniversary Donostia Award going to director Oliver Stone. In 1969, Jones made his Broadway debut in John Osborne's A Patriot for Me. His other Broadway appearances include Four on a Garden and Ulysses in Nighttown.