Hollywood, Hanks hit Pittsburgh with Mister Rogers film

Fan favorite Tom Hanks will play public TV icon Fred Rogers in the film “You Are My Friend.”

Set to begin production this fall, the movie will follow Rogers’ friendship with journalist Tom Junod – a cynical reporter who profiled America’s favorite neighbor for an article in the late 1990s. After interviewing Rogers, Junod’s outlook was completely changed, overwhelmed by Rogers’ kind nature.

Rogers’ Emmy-nominated series, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” was one of the longest-running children’s shows ever, and was filmed at WQED-TV studios in Rogers’ hometown of Pittsburgh. Plans to film in Pittsburgh have not yet been announced.

— Erin O’Connor, WordWrite Communications