TriStar has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to You Are My Friend, which centers on the real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod — yes, Mr. Rogers had other friends besides you.
According to Variety, Marielle Heller will direct the biopic / heartwarming sob-fest starring Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers.
Production has yet to begin on You Are My Friend, which probably won’t hit theaters until late next year (awards season, of course) and gives us all plenty of time to stockpile boxes of Kleenex.
When Junod begrudgingly accepted an assignment to profile the iconic children’s television host, his cynical, grinch-y heart grew three sizes (basically), as Mr. Rogers proved that his compassionate way of living wasn’t just for kiddos.