Tom Hanks Discusses 'Heartbreaking' Shift of WWII Film Greyhound From Theatrical Blockbuster to Apple TV+ Exclusive

[MacRumors]

Tom Hanks' WWII drama "Greyhound" is set to premiere on Apple TV+ this Friday, July 10, and ahead of that debut the actor gave an interview with The Guardian discussing the film.

"Greyhound" was originally planned to see a theatrical release this summer, and was repeatedly delayed in the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Apple won the streaming rights to the film, and in the new interview Hanks gave his honest opinion regarding the project's shift from big screen theatrical blockbuster to direct-to-streaming film.

But Greyhound has been an especial labour of love for [Hanks], one he sweated over for almost a decade, and it is one of those sweeping war movies that really should be seen on the big screen. So the change in plans has been, he says, “an absolute heartbreak. I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Hanks himself approved of the deal with Apple, so his frustration lies less with Apple TV+ than with the overall state of many theatrical releases going directly to streaming platforms. In terms of Hanks' filmography, this marks the first time one of Hanks' starring movies has gone directly to streaming.

Besides acting in the lead role of naval career officer George Krause, Hanks also wrote the screenplay, which is based on the C.S. Forester novel "The Good Shepherd." The film is set during the early days of the United States' involvement in World War II, and follows Krause, who is in command of Navy destroyer Greyhound, as he leads a convoy of Allied ships against an attack by German U-boats.

In another tidbit from today's interview, Hanks notes that "the cruel whipmasters at Apple" asked him to sit in front of a blank wall in his home for the video call with The Guardian.

Apple TV+ is having a similarly negative impact on Hanks’ appearance in this interview. Even though he is in his office, “the cruel whipmasters at Apple” decided the background needed to be a blank wall, presumably so nosy journalists like me wouldn’t spend the whole encounter snooping at Hanks’ bookcases. Against the eerily empty backdrop, he looks, Hanks rightly says, as if he’s in “a witness protection programme. But here I am, bowing to the needs of Apple TV.”

Head to The Guardian to check out the full interview, where Hanks discusses his classic roles in films like Apollo 13 and much more.

Article Link: Tom Hanks Discusses 'Heartbreaking' Shift of WWII Film Greyhound From Theatrical Blockbuster to Apple TV+ Exclusive

 

[bcomer]

Some moveis should be seen in theatre - watching on a small screen seems like a rip-off.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

“Heartbreaking”...doesn’t Tom mean he’s sad he won’t make as much from it? Maybe he has a real skill that he can contribute to society then.

 

[RickInHouston]

Many, many people are suffering from this pandemic. Get in line, Tom.

 

[Rainshadow]

“Heartbreaking”...doesn’t Tom mean he’s sad he won’t make as much from it? Maybe he has a real skill that he can contribute to society then.

Wow... someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning...

 

[nnavas13]

We have entered the age of streaming. Adapt or die...

 

[vipergts2207]

“I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Not at my house Tom. 4K HDR with 5.2.2 surround sound. I’ll take my setup over a movie theater with sticky floors and overpriced snacks any day.

 

[markfc]

Jesus, even Tom Hanks can't bend Apple.
I though he'd be calling the shots but I guess he wants this baby out.
Kind of reminds me of the whole Toy Story / Pixar / Disney deal.

 

[Bandaman]

“Heartbreaking”...doesn’t Tom mean he’s sad he won’t make as much from it? Maybe he has a real skill that he can contribute to society then.

He’s already been paid, but hey .. keep being negative for no reason.

 

[ruka.snow]

Some moveis should be seen in theatre - watching on a small screen seems like a rip-off.

I almost agree but it means I can't physically see the movie until it is on the small screen unless said cinema installs a massive television and not a projector. It in 2020 with a global pandemic, movies should be on cinema and streaming services at the same time.

 

[dannys1]

I’m not being funny but the visual and audio quality of most mainstream cinemas leaves a lot to be desired. My 65” OLED and custom sound solution is far better.

 

[Menel]

Some moveis should be seen in theatre - watching on a small screen seems like a rip-off.

Define "small", heh.

The peace of a home theater is much more immersive.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Kinda surprised Tom is so not appreciative. He always seemed less a hollywood ego type, guess that was all PR

Hanks had Covid and was evacuated out of Australia -- yet he still whines about having to stream and make many millions of dollars while likely getting even more people to see his film.

 

[Remy149]

“I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Not at my house Tom. 4K HDR with 5.2.2 surround sound. I’ll take my setup over a movie theater with sticky floors and overpriced snacks any day.

Same here have an lg oled and a Dolby Atmos system outside of certain films like marvel and Star Wars I’d rather stay home

 

[SkyRom]

It sounds like Tom Hanks got sick of being handled and was sending a friendly reminder to Apple that they need him (A-list talent willing to collaborate on major projects) way more than he needs them.

 

[lamerica80]

At least make it so the most people can see it them by selling it to Netflix instead of Apple.

 

[metalsiren]

he APPROVED it, he could have held out for when movie theaters were back (which lets be honest wont be for a while) but he APPROVED it going to apple. so......

 

[sublunar]

If you look at Tom Hanks' other media interviews, he does have his tongue in cheek sometimes...

What's interesting is Apple's choice of an exclusive movie to improve the Apple TV+ library rather than getting involved in picking up library stuff that's done the rounds on other services.

 

[WannaGoMac]

If you look at Tom Hanks' other media interviews, he does have his tongue in cheek sometimes...

What's interesting is Apple's choice of an exclusive movie to improve the Apple TV+ library rather than getting involved in picking up library stuff that's done the rounds on other services.

Plus they have streaming rights for 15 years.

 

[bluespark]

“I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Not at my house Tom. 4K HDR with 5.2.2 surround sound. I’ll take my setup over a movie theater with sticky floors and overpriced snacks any day.

Good for you, but he's obviously not speaking to the very few lucky enough to have setups like yours.

 

[Dresling]

Many, many people are suffering from this pandemic. Get in line, Tom.

I believe Mr. Hanks is well aware since both he and his wife got infected while being in Australia. They were confined in quarantine and felt the disease on their own bodies. I believe Mr. Hanks is genuinely sad about the lost theatrical experience rather than monetary reasons.

 

[Chloros]

“I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Not at my house Tom. 4K HDR with 5.2.2 surround sound. I’ll take my setup over a movie theater with sticky floors and overpriced snacks any day.

Awesome! IT WORKS FOR YOU!!! LETS CATER TO THE .001% WHO HAS YOUR SETUP.

 

[robinp]

Many, many people are suffering from this pandemic. Get in line, Tom.

Personally, I find it possible to care very much about all manner of things. Some I care about deeply but are certainly not a matter of life or death. When I’ve put many years of my life into doing something of course I’d be heavily invested emotionally in it.

It’s a pretty rubbish thing to belittle someone else’s unhappiness. Next time, if you’ve not got something positive to say, perhaps just keep it to yourself.

 

[Henriok]

He chose to have it on the little screen. It was either the little screen, the big screen or nothing. There's no other way to read this. And then he bitches about it? Really?

 

[JimmyBanks6]

“I don’t mean to make angry my Apple overlords, but there is a difference in picture and sound quality.”

Not at my house Tom. 4K HDR with 5.2.2 surround sound. I’ll take my setup over a movie theater with sticky floors and overpriced snacks any day.

How did you hack Apple TV+ to output a lossless stream for you?