Just a few months after landing one of the top spots on last year’sBlack List, a new project has just found some A-list talent behind and in front of the camera.Tom HanksandMeryl Streephave signed on to star, withSteven Spielbergcoming aboard to directThe Post.Liz Hannahwrote the spec script that tied for second place on Black List, behind theMadonnabiopicBlonde Ambition.Amy Pascal’s Pascal Pictures bought the spec script last fall before it landed on the BLack List.
Deadlinereports that 20th Century Fox andSteven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment will co-finance the movie. 20th Century Fox will distribute the film domestically, with Amblin handling international distribution through its output deals with Universal, eOne, Reliance and others. This also marks the fifth timeTom HanksandSteven Spielberghave teamed up, following 1998’sSaving Private Ryan, 2002’sCatch Me If you may, 2004’sThe Terminaland 2015’sBridge of Spies.Meryl Streeppreviously voiced the blue fairy forSteven Spielberg’s 2001 filmA.I.: Artificial Intelligence.
The story follows The Washington Post’s involvement in thePentagon Papers, and how Washington Post editorBen Bradleeand publisherKay Grahamhad to fight the government just to publish their work.Tom Hanksis being eyed to playBen Bradlee, withMeryl StreepplayingKay Graham. It is unclear at this point who will playDaniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the classified study commissioned by the Department of Defense about the Vietnam War, which included numerous unreported facts about the escalation of troops and secret bombings.Daniel Ellsbergleaked the study to the New York Times, who wrote a scathing report that charged theLyndon B. Johnsonadministration of lying to the American public, and to Congress, about the Vietnam War.
Attorney generalJohn Mitchellthen filed a federal court injunction to get the New York Times to stop publishing the Pentagon Papers after just three installments, which leadDaniel Ellsbergto pass the study toBen Bradleeat the Washington Post, who would publish many more findings from the 47-volume study. The New York Times and the Washington Post appealed to theSupreme Court, who ruled in their favor, 6-3, that the newspapers had the right to publish the Pentagon Papers under the First Amendment.Daniel Ellsbergwas charged with conspiracy, espionage and theft of government property, but all the charges were eventually dropped.
Tom Hanksis coming offInferno, his thirdRobert Langdonadventure, and he will next be seen inThe CirclealongsideEmma WatsonandJohn Boyega, which hits theaters on April 28.Meryl Streepis coming off her Oscar-nominated turn inFlorence Foster Jenkins, and she is currently filmingMary Poppins Returns, where she plays Topsy.Steven Spielbergis coming offThe BFGand he is currently in post-production onReady Player One, which is set for release on June 11, 2025. Hopefully we’ll hear Postvery soon.
