Three studios are bidding for 'The Comebacker,' a new film reteaming Tom Hanks and director Marielle Heller. The project, based on a Dave Eggers short story, centers on a pitching coach whose protégé suffers a life-altering injury. A deal is expected to close by the weekend.
Hollywood is buzzing with a heated bidding war as three studios vie for 'The Comebacker,' a baseball-themed film that reunites Tom Hanks with filmmaker Marielle Heller. Heller, who previously directed Hanks as Mister Rogers in 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,' scripted the movie herself. Described as a love letter to baseball, the story follows Hanks as a pitching coach for a major league hurler. The pitcher's life unravels after he is struck in the head by a line drive on the mound, leading to profound changes. No actor has been cast yet for the lead pitcher role, but industry insiders anticipate interest from top young leading men. Production is slated to begin in October, with Hanks' longtime partner Gary Goetzman producing via Playtone and Heller's collaborator Leah Holzer through Defiant By Nature. Deadline reported the exclusive details of the package sale. Meanwhile, Hanks and Goetzman are wrapping production on 'Greyhound 2' in Australia, where Hanks wrote the script and stars under director Aaron Schneider for Apple Original Films. The bidding process draws a baseball analogy, with one studio poised to win while the others walk away empty-handed.
