Tom Hanks producing JFK film

Remember when Tom Hanks “shook” John F. Kennedy’s hand in Forrest Gump?

Well, Hanks is returning to similar, much darker territory as co-producer of a new film about the late president’s assassination.

A publicist for Hanks has confirmed to EW.com that Hanks and his Playtone Productions partner Gary Goetzman are making a film titled Parkland, helmed by first-time director Peter Landesman. The ensemble drama revolves around the events surrounding JFK’s shooting death in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

Oliver Stone’s 1991 movie JFK was filled with conspiracy theories and cover-up plot twists about Kennedy’s murder, and Stone came under major fire from outlets saying he took too many liberties when it came to facts and historical details.

Hanks has wholeheartedly embraced deeply disturbing history-based flicks and shows, whether dodging bombs playing a World War II soldier in Saving Private Ryan, or executive producing HBO’s blood-and-guts drenched war series The Pacific.

Will Stone offer some pointers to Hanks for Parkland? That remains to be seen.

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