Variety has reported that Chris Cooper (The Town) will join the cast of the Mr. Rogers biopic You Are My Friend. The film tells the story of the real-life friendship that blossomed between the beloved Fred Rogers, played by Tom Hanks, and cynical journalist Tom Junod (Matthew Rhys). Cooper will play Junod’s father.
The film will see the cynical journalist begrudgingly accepting an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed, carrying the potential for a heart-warming story that could rival 2013’s drama Saving Mr. Banks, also starring Hanks.
The screenplay was written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster (Transparent, Beautiful Ruins). Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf of Big Beach will produce alongside Youree Henley (The Beguiled, 20th Century Woman). Leah Holzer of Big Beach will executive produce, along with Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster. The project originated from a true story developed by Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster, first appearing on the Black List in 2013.
Chris Cooper will appear in the upcoming Broadway drama Light On Broken Glass, co-starring Patricia Clarkson.
You Are My Friend will hit theaters on October 18, 2019, just in time for early Oscar season.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
