Even if you happen to be recognized as one of the finest actors in the industry, it’s not uncommon to have a few films in your repertoire that may not align with your proudest achievements. Tom Hanks, renowned for his roles in heartwarming classics like “Big” and “Sleepless in Seattle,” showcased his versatile acting prowess in cinematic masterpieces such as “Forrest Gump” and “Saving Private Ryan,” both widely regarded as among the greatest films of all time.
Yet, like any artist navigating a varied career, there are certain movies in Tom Hanks’ filmography that he would prefer to distance himself from. During an interview with the New York Times, Hanks candidly acknowledged that the Da Vinci Code trilogy, in which he took a leading role, falls into that category of regrettable projects.
Reflecting on the thriller movies, Hanks remarked, “God, that was a commercial enterprise. Yeah, those Robert Langdon sequels are hooey. The Da Vinci Code was hooey. I mean, Dan Brown, God bless him, says, ‘Here is a sculpture in a place in Paris!’ No, it’s way over there. See how a cross is formed on a map? Well, it’s sort of a cross. Those are delightful scavenger hunts that are about as accurate to history as the James Bond movies are to espionage.”
In his critique, Hanks highlighted the films’ tendency to blend fact and fiction, emphasizing that the historical accuracy often took a back seat to the cinematic spectacle. “But they’re as cynical as a crossword puzzle. All we were doing is promising a diversion. There’s nothing wrong with good commerce, provided it is good commerce. By the time we made the third one, we proved that it wasn’t such good commerce.”
In essence, Tom Hanks reflects not only on the commercial success or failure of the Da Vinci Code trilogy but also on the balance between entertainment and historical fidelity in the film industry. The interview provides insight into Hanks’ perspective on the complexity of navigating a diverse career, where not every project aligns with an actor’s artistic aspirations.
