Tom Hanks has been cast to play Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming film “Lincoln in the Bardo,” marking the first time the actor will portray a U.S. president on screen.

The project is based on the 2017 novel by George Saunders, which won the Booker Prize and became a New York Times bestseller. The story centers on President Lincoln as he mourns the death of his 11-year-old son, Willie Lincoln, exploring themes of grief, faith, and fatherhood against the backdrop of the Civil War.

The film will combine live-action performances with stop-motion animation. Duke Johnson, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, is set to direct and produce the adaptation. The project is being produced by Starburns Industries, with Hanks also serving as a producer through his Playtone label.

Additional producers include Paul Young and Devon Young Rabinowitz, while Steven Shareshian and Aaron Mitchell will serve as executive producers alongside Saunders.

According to industry reports, the hybrid film is expected to be shot in London. Casting details beyond Hanks have not yet been announced, and filming has not begun. No official release date has been set.

The adaptation aims to depict one of the most personal and emotionally challenging chapters of Lincoln’s life, blending historical and fictional characters in a stylized retelling of the novel’s narrative.