For Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood comes first, break later

Tom Hanks

While Tom Hanks (below) had planned a sabbatical after his last cinematic outing, the role of 'Sully' was one he couldn't turn down, despite having to postpone his break. "Sometimes you read something that is so stirring and at the same time so simple, such a perfect blend of behaviour and procedure," he says. "Now, I'm as competitive as the next actor, so I knew I wanted at least a shot at it, even though I'd been working pretty steadily for about six years. Sure, I was beat, but not unlike a solid jolt of adrenaline, this role, 'Sully', Mr Clint Eastwood… they all came along. I felt like I couldn't pass up a chance at playing in this great double-header at the end of this long baseball season," he adds.

Although the two had never worked together before, Eastwood says, "Tom was one of the first people we thought about for the part. But at the time he was just finishing a picture and we didn't think we could get him. But, he read the script, liked it and made himself available. And he was terrific, a consummate pro, and it was kind of effortless working with him. "He has a great sense of humour, so that makes it fun. He would be standing around waiting, sometimes in the rain, and still making the crew laugh."