Tom Hanks' Playtone reveals slate including AMERCIAN GODS, AMERICAN IDIOT & more

Movie Tom Hanks about 13 years agoby

Tom Hanks' Playtone has revealed their upcoming slate of projects while at the premiere of Larry Crowne at ScreenSingapore. The three current projects in development include Neil Gaiman's American Gods, a film version of Green Days American Idiot and a live-action Major Matt Mason film.

Earlier we reported that Playtone had teamed with HBO to bring Neil Gaiman's best-selling novel "American Gods" to the small screen. As for the American Gods series, Gaiman is set to write and executive produce the HBO series, which is being set up for sixe seasons of ten to twelve one-hour episodes. The series will reportedly have a budget of roughly $35 to 40 million per season with its debut planned for 2013.

Here is what Hanks' producing partner, Gary Goetzman had to say about the project and the amount of special effects needed to do the show justice:

“There are some crazy things in there. We’ll probably be doing more effects in there than it’s been done on a television series."

There is also some movement on the long plannned live-action film version of Mattel's Major Matt Mason toy. Hanks revealed that he may re-team with Robert Zemeckis to possibly direct Playtone's second 3D feature. Hanks and Graham Yost wrote the screenplay for the film, and are in talks with Zemeckis to direct for Universal. Hanks has collaborated with Zemeckis on such films as Forrest Gump and Cast Away. The Mason project would have a budget larger than $100 million.

They also have a feature film version of the Broadway musical American Idiot based on the music of Green Day. The film will be directed by Michael Mayer, director of the stage version. Green Day frontman Billy Joe Armstrong will star as St. Jimmy. This would be Playtone's second musical following the hit Mamma Mia!, which grossed more than $600 million worldwide.

I am interested in seeing American Gods and Major Matt Mason the most. When Hanks and Zemeckis team up, they always seem to work well together. What are your thoughts on this news?