Tom Hanks Reveals Why He Keeps Taking on WWII Projects 25 Years After “Band of Brothers”: 'I've Been Wrestling with This'
Yahoo • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Tom Hanks is premiering a new 20-part documentary series, "World War II with Tom Hanks," on the History Channel this Memorial Day, exploring the war's major theaters from 1939 to 1945 in collaboration with the National WWII Museum.
- Hanks explains his enduring interest in World War II stems from its moral clarity, contrasting freedom with oppression, which he sees as highly relevant to contemporary societal challenges in 2026.
- His fascination began in childhood after witnessing an emotional reunion between his father and a fellow veteran, which left a lasting impression about the personal experiences of war.
- The series is executive produced by Hanks and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, aiming to provide both poetic and enlightening perspectives on the conflict.
- Despite decades of work on World War II projects, Hanks indicates he is not finished exploring the era, often inspired by new books and stories to develop future films or miniseries.