The 1996 Tom Hanks film "That Thing You Do," about the meteoric rise of a small-time Pennsylvania pop band, is being turned into a Broadway musical, Variety reported (May 1). The project is being developed by Hanks' and Gary Goetzman's production company, Playtone.
The venture is still in its early stage, but Variety reported meetings are taking place between the producers and various theatre directors, including Des McAnuff. No composers or librettists have been named.
Hanks wrote and directed the picture, thus far the only feature film directing credit for the star of "Cast Away," "Forrest Gump" and other films.
Other films recently converted into stage musicals include "Footloose," "Saturday Night Fever," "The Full Monty" and "The Producers."
—By Robert Simonson
