Tom Hanks is arguably one of the most acclaimed actors, having won two Academy Awards for Best Actor among other accolades. However, Hanks has undergone several shifts in his career, undergoing drastic transformations for several of his roles, which are often more than just your typical hero.
During an interview, Hanks reflected on his lengthy career in Hollywood. At the same time, Hanks spoke about his star status and how it affects the roles he chooses to play on the big screen. Despite having played America’s sweetheart for most of his career, Hanks admitted that he never wanted one stereotype to be associated with his films, and here is why.
Tom Hanks Doesn’t Want His Films to Become Cynical
Tom Hanks rose to prominence primarily for his roles in romantic comedies, especially during the 80s and 90s. Films like Sleepless in Seattle and Philadelphia established Hanks as a leading man before he eventually transitioned to more complex roles with Saving Private Ryan and Cast Away.
More recently, Hanks played the morally grey character of Tom Parker in Elvis. While promoting the movie, the actor reflected on his lengthy career during an interview with the New York Times in 2022.
At the same time, Hanks was asked about his films reflecting a nostalgia for the mid-20th century.
There’s Hanks, he’s got a nostalgia for the way America used to be.
Hanks made the above statement explaining that he did not intentionally seek out roles that eminate nostalgia. Instead, the actor argued that he was fascinated with the progress that America has made in all these years.
Meanwhile, Hanks also touched upon the types of roles he did not want to seek, revealing the one stereotype he did not want to be associated with. He said:
What I don’t do, if I can continue on, I’m not cynical. Cynicism is a default position in an awful lot of entertainment.
From Hanks’ words, it is evident that he does not want his movies to reflect a sense of cynicism that is becoming prevalent in modern media, especially when looking back at the bygone era.
Hanks also added that he felt that the conflicts stemming from cynicism and violence are glamorous and gorgeous, but he disagreed with the viewpoint. As a result, it is safe to say that Hanks wants to stay as far away from the modern stereotype of cynicism as possible.
Tom Hanks Talks About Breaking Stereotypes in His Lengthy Career
During the same interview, Hanks also spoke about having to get out of the heroic actor box at a certain point in his career. After Hanks found success in his romantic and comedy movies earlier in his career, he became America’s sweetheart.
Hanks later reinvented himself but continued to play heroic characters. However, the veteran actor admitted that while he tried to break out of the stereotypes he found himself in, he ultimately was limited by his cinematic countenance.
I have a particular cinematic countenance that I carry into any movie, the same way that De Niro carries a malevolence into every role that he plays.
Hanks made the above statement, explaining that while his star status and career history as a leading man limited his ability to reinvent himself, he always sought new ways to break out of the box of a typical hero.
Hanks also stated that after so many years, certain tropes such as the guy in the uniform or the guy who does the right thing had become associated with him. However, he broke out of the limitations of playing such stereotypes by filtering them through the character’s perspective.
