Tom Hanks to Play Abraham Lincoln in ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ Film Adaptation

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is set to portray President Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming film adaptation of Lincoln in the Bardo. The project will be produced by Starburns Industries, marking a major cinematic interpretation of George Saunders’ acclaimed literary work.

In addition to starring, Tom Hanks will produce the film under his Playtone banner alongside longtime collaborator Gary Goetzman. The adaptation is being written by Saunders himself, bringing the Booker Prize-winning novel to the screen with its original author at the helm.

A Bold Blend of Live-Action and Animation

The film will be directed by Duke Johnson, best known for co-directing the Oscar-nominated animated feature Anomalisa. Production is currently underway in London, with the project combining live-action sequences and stop-motion animation — a hybrid approach designed to capture the novel’s experimental narrative style.

Unlike traditional biographical films centered on Lincoln’s political legacy, Lincoln in the Bardo focuses on a deeply personal chapter in the president’s life: the death of his 11-year-old son, Willie, during the Civil War. Set in a supernatural limbo inspired by Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the story explores grief, memory, and fatherhood through a chorus of spirits observing Lincoln’s private mourning.

Hanks’ History of Real-Life Roles

While this marks Tom Hanks’ first portrayal of a U.S. president, the actor has frequently embodied historical figures throughout his career. His performances have ranged from astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 to pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in Sully. He has also portrayed Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee and television icon Fred Rogers.

Lincoln himself has been famously portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, a role that earned Daniel Day-Lewis an Academy Award for Best Actor. Hanks’ portrayal is expected to offer a more intimate and philosophical interpretation rather than a sweeping political chronicle.

Interestingly, Hanks previously narrated the 2013 docudrama Killing Lincoln and is distantly related to Lincoln on his maternal side — a detail that adds a personal dimension to the casting.

Tom Hanks in ‘News of the World’

A Literary Adaptation With Awards Pedigree

George Saunders’ novel won the Booker Prize in 2017 and was praised for reshaping historical fiction through fragmented narration and dark humor. Translating its unconventional structure to film presents a significant creative challenge, particularly given its ensemble of living and spectral characters.

Industry analysts note that the project reflects Hollywood’s growing interest in formally ambitious literary adaptations rather than straightforward historical biopics. By blending genres and techniques, the film aims to expand how historical storytelling is presented on screen.

Production and Industry Impact

Producers on the project include Johnson, Paul Young, and Devon Young Rabinowitz, with additional executive producers attached. The film is among the first major productions to move forward under Starburns Industries’ recently announced film fund.

As audiences increasingly gravitate toward hybrid storytelling and prestige adaptations, Lincoln in the Bardo could emerge as one of the most distinctive historical dramas in development.

With Hanks stepping into one of America’s most iconic roles, expectations are high — not just for performance, but for a reimagining of Lincoln’s humanity through the lens of loss and empathy.