"Won't you be my neighbor?" Multiple generations of kids (including myself) grew up watching Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. In the beloved children's show, Mr. Rogers talked to viewers about a variety of topics, which ranged from light (music, food, work) to heavy (divorce, bullying, the death of a goldfish). Along the way, there'd be songs, occasional field trips, and, of course, a ride on the electric trolley to the whimsical Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
The show aired from 1968 to 2001, producing 895 episodes. Fred Rogers was famous for his zip-up cardigan sweaters, but also for his unflappable sincerity and boundless compassion. "You make each day a special day," he told viewers. "You know how, by just your being you. There's only one person in this whole world like you. And people can like you exactly as you are."
Now they're making a biopic of Fred Rogers entitled You Are My Friend. And whom do you get to play the most likable children's show host of all time? The most
:
, America's Dad. Has there ever been more perfect casting? This movie will score 4,000% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It's easy to picture Tom Hanks in a cardigan singing "Won't you be my neighbor?" (Hopefully he brings Wilson from Cast-Away and David S. Pumpkins makes a cameo.)
But this isn't just
It's based on a unique story from an Esquire reporter in 1996. "The film is inspired by a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod," reports Variety. "In the story, a cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed."
It sounds like the perfect movie for today's world, where we've never been more divided, politically and culturally. Sure, we'll go back to fighting each other as soon as it's over, but it'll be a nice break for a couple hours.
Marielle Heller , who directed Diary of a Teenage Girl, will helm this project. In a statement to Variety, she talked about what Mr. Roger's Neighborhood meant to her.
"I’m thrilled to be making ‘You Are My Friend. The script knocked me out with its message of kindness and its exploration of the human spirit. As a mother, I am so inspired by the teachings of Fred Rogers and as a human I am in awe of his life’s work. I can’t wait to bring his story to the public and be a part of such a thoughtful, smart group of people who are all coming together to make this film, which truly feels to me like an antidote to our very fractured culture."
So far, they haven't announced a release date or filming date. But hopefully it's soon, so we can get a much-needed dose of wholesome sincerity. "One of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self," said Mr. Rogers in an interview with Newsweek, just before he shot the final episodes. "I also believe that kids can spot a phony a mile away."
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