Tom Hanks to Play Mr. Rogers in Upcoming Biopic Hanks will play the iconic children's show host in You Are My Friend. Marielle Heller is set to direct the film based on a script written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. You Are My Friend will be based on Rogers' friendship with journalist Tom Junod, who wrote a prominent profile on the star for Esquire in 1998. Junod commented on the announcement of the film. Hanks has a knack for playing icons, as he stepped into the shoes of Walt Disney for Saving Mr. Banks. Production is set to start in September.