Tom Hanks is set to play former President Abraham Lincoln in a hybrid live-action and stop-motion film adaptation of George Saunders' 2017 novel Lincoln in the Bardo. Directed by Duke Johnson, the project is currently in production in London. The story explores Lincoln's grief over his son Willie's death amid Civil War-era themes of loss and leadership.
The adaptation of Lincoln in the Bardo marks a significant project for Tom Hanks, who will appear in live-action as the 16th U.S. president. Based on Saunders' Booker Prize-winning novel from 2017, the film delves into Lincoln's emotional turmoil following the death of his 11-year-old son, Willie Lincoln. The narrative unfolds in a dreamlike graveyard populated by restless spirits, offering a meditation on grief, love, and the burdens of leadership during the American Civil War.
Duke Johnson, known for co-directing the Oscar-nominated animated feature Anomalisa, helms the production. The screenplay comes from Saunders himself, preserving the novel's experimental structure and profound themes. The film blends live-action with stop-motion animation to create a visually inventive retelling.
Production is underway at Starburns Industries in London. Hanks produces alongside Gary Goetzman under their Playtone banner. Additional producers include Johnson, Paul Young, and Devon Young Rabinowitz for Starburns Industries. Executive producers are Saunders, Steven Shareshian, and Aaron Mitchell.
Saunders' novel received acclaim for its innovative form and deep exploration of human emotion, and the film aims to capture that spirit in a new medium.
