Hollywood icon Tom Hanks is set to embody the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, in a groundbreaking cinematic adaptation of George Saunders' acclaimed 2017 novel, 'Lincoln in the Bardo'. This marks the first time Hanks will portray a U.S. President, adding another significant historical figure to his celebrated career. The project, which is currently in production in London, promises a unique blend of live-action and stop-motion animation to bring its ethereal narrative to life.

Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Duke Johnson, known for his work on 'Anomalisa,' the film delves into Abraham Lincoln's profound grief following the death of his 11-year-old son, Willie, in 1862 during the Civil War. The story, based on historical accounts of Lincoln visiting his son's crypt, unfolds within a supernatural 'bardo' — a Tibetan Buddhist concept of an intermediate state between death and rebirth, populated by restless spirits. Saunders himself is adapting his Booker Prize-winning novel for the screenplay.

The film is being produced by Hanks and Gary Goetzman under their Playtone banner, alongside Duke Johnson, Paul Young, and Devon Young Rabinowitz for Starburns Industries. Steven Shareshian, Aaron Mitchell, and George Saunders are executive producers. While a premiere date has not yet been announced, reports indicate Andre Holland is also set to join the cast.

Interestingly, Tom Hanks has a personal connection to the historical figure, being a distant relative of Abraham Lincoln through Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks. This adds an intriguing layer to what is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated and visually inventive historical dramas.