Tom Hanks: The One Actor Who Can't Even Fake Being Bad
Well, at least he tried.
Tom Hanks, the beloved actor known for his charming and heroic roles in films like Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and Captain Phillips, explained why he never plays the role of bad guys in movies.
According to Hanks, he simply doesn't have it in him to be convincing as a villain.
In an interview with The New York Times, the actor stated, "I recognized in myself a long time ago that I don't instill fear in anybody. Now, that's different than being nice, you know? I think I have a cache of mystery. But it's not one of malevolence. It's because I never get them, because bad guys, by and large, require some degree of malevolence that I don't think I can fake."
Hanks has built a career on playing likable and relatable characters, from the titular role in now-iconic Forrest Gump to the heroic captain in Captain Phillips. He's also played real-life heroes, such as in Saving Mr. Banks and Philadelphia.
Even in his more dramatic roles, such as in Cast Away and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Hanks manages to evoke sympathy and understanding from audiences. It's not hard to see why he might struggle to play a truly villainous character.
But that's not to say Hanks hasn't dabbled in playing bad guys at all (he is an actor, and a talented one, after all.)
Hanks did play a gangster in the 2002 film Road to Perdition, much to his fans' surprise, and even portrayed the main antagonist in The Sphere with Emma Watson. However, these roles were still met with confusion from audiences: fans just had a hard time (understandably enough) seeing Hanks as anything other than a good guy.
Despite his inability to play villains, Hanks' career has been nothing short of impressive. He's been nominated for and won numerous awards, including five Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards. He's also been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With a career spanning over 40 years, Hanks has proven that you don't have to play the bad guy to be a successful actor.