Tom Hanks returns to state as co-producer and actor

SANTA FE, N.M. - "News of the World," a post-Civil War adventure saga produced by Universal Pictures, has begun principal photography in and around Santa Fe, State Film Office Director Todd Christensen announced today.

The production will continue in the state through November and employ more than 200 New Mexico crew members and 25 New Mexico actors.

“Our state film industry continues to draw sizable A-list productions, and that’s incredibly good news for our economy and workers,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “I look forward to its sustainable expansion and more productions taking root in all parts of the state.” 

”I welcome Tom Hanks back to New Mexico to produce and star in this post Civil-War adventure story,” said Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes of the Economic Development Department. “It’s reassuring to know that leaders in the film industry are returning New Mexico to benefit from our highly trained crews, unique locations, and competitive business incentives.”

“News of the World,” based on the National Book Award finalist and best-selling novel by Paulette Jiles, is directed by Paul Greengrass (the “Bourne” films, “United 93”), who also wrote the script with an earlier draft by Luke Davies (“Lion”). The film is produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman (“Mamma Mia!” franchise, HBO’s “Olive Kitteridge”) for their company, Playtone Productions, by Gregory Goodman (“22 July,” “8 Mile”), and by Gail Mutrux (“The Danish Girl,” “Donnie Brasco”) for her Pretty Pictures. The executive producers are Steven Shareshian and Tore Schmidt.

Five years after the end of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a widower and veteran of three wars, moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller. He shares the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe.

In the plains of Texas, Kidd crosses paths with Johanna (Helena Zengel, “System Crasher”), a 10-year-old taken in by the Kiowa tribe six years earlier and raised as one of their own. Johanna, hostile to a world she’s never experienced, is being returned to her biological aunt and uncle against her will.

Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two will face tremendous challenges of both human and natural forces as they search for a place that either can call home.

Universal Pictures will release “News of the World” on Dec. 25, 2020. For more information contact frontpagenews.productions@gmail.com. 

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