There have been many incidents in Hollywood when an actor has lost or turned down an offer for a movie or a role. And Tom Hanks has also been through such incidents many times. However, there was also a role that he was desperate to get. The actor played the character of an FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, in the 2002 biographical comedy-drama Catch Me If You Can alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
And it was one of the roles for the Academy Award-winning actor that he did not wish to lose. The director of the film, Steven Spielberg, shared that Hanks was so eager to star in the movie, that he invited himself to the project.
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Tom Hanks Wanted to Play Carl Hanratty in the 2002 Film
Steven Spielberg’s 2002 movie Catch Me If You Can follows con artist Frank Abagnale as he is chased by the FBI agent, Carl Hanratty. The movie starred Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead character alongside Tom Hanks, who played the role of the FBI agent.
While DiCaprio is the lead star in the movie, Carl Hanratty also plays an important role in establishing Frank Abagnale’s character. However, according to the director of the movie, Hanks was the one who approached him to be cast in the movie.
During an interview with Roger Ebert, he shared that the Cast Away star was highly impressed with the story after he read the “script as a writing sample.” Spielberg shared that after this Hanks called him and the movie’s co-producer asking if he can be in the 2002 film.
“Do you think Steven would let me play the FBI agent? I really know who this guy is,” the Oscar-winning director recalled Hanks’ words. He shared that the Forrest Gump star then called him and even contacted the Titanic star to make sure that he did not have any objection to him being in the movie.
Tom Hanks Contacted Leonardo DiCaprio Regarding His Movie
Steven Spielberg has shared that after calling him and the co-producer Walter Parkes, Tom Hanks called Leonardo DiCaprio to talk about starring in the movie. He asked him if he was uncomfortable with him playing the role of the FBI agent in the film.
“Is it an imposition for me to be this movie which is clearly your film? You’re carrying it,” he asked DiCaprio before adding, “Would it be an imposition upon you if I played the FBI agent?” While The Terminal actor believed that the Inception star would mind him being in the movie, Spielberg said that it was like “heaven had just come down to earth for [DiCaprio].”
He further stated, “So, in a sense, Tom invited himself into the project in such a humble, beautiful way.” The 67-year-old actor has also shared that he was compelled by the story as soon as he read the script. He said the role of Carl Hanratty stood out to him, and he knew that he wanted to play the character.
Catch Me If You Can is available on Max.
Source: Roger Ebert
