Tom Hanks to Star in Film about Somali Pirate Hijacking

Captain Richard Phillips

Captain Richard Phillips - photo credit: zimbio



Sony Pictures has announced that Tom Hanks has signed on to star in a true-story movie about the kidnapping of Captain Richard Phillips by Somali Pirates in the spring of 2009. Hanks will reportedly play the role of Captain Phillips. 

Phillips was the Captain of the Maersk ShipAlabama in 2009 when his ship was hijacked by Somali pirates. Phillips was able to negotiate the release of his crew by agreeing to let the Pirates take him hostage, and then spent the next three days as a captive until his rescue by a Navy SEAL team.

Since that time the Alabama has been attacked on two other occasions, most recently on March the 8th of this year. That attack was thwarted by on-board security guards who fired on the pirates. The security details were added to the ship since the 2009 incident.  

The film is based on the book which Phillips wrote after his ordeal. Billy Ray has written the script for the film which is being produced by Scott Ruden and Kevin Spacey.

About Janet Lynn

Janet Lynn - a freelance writer with a great insight into the Entertainment world. jan_grdinich@newstaar.com