Tom Hanks is turning an obscure 1960s toy into an upcoming movie
Image: JC Penney / Wishbook Web
Seems like Woody might be jealous of Buzz Lightyear. Variety is reporting that Tom Hanks will star in a film adaptation of Major Matt Mason, a popular Mattel doll (sorry "action figure") from the Sixties. Released at the height of the space race, Major Matt Mason was an astronaut who lived and worked on the moon.
At the time, NASA was working tirelessly at putting a man on the moon and Apollo 1 was mere months from launch when the toy hit the market. Major Matt Mason began his fictional life as a rather realistic astronaut. As the decade progressed, the line ventured further into science-fiction. Mason ended up fighting a giant dude in a blue jumpsuit (and a bowl cut eerily similar to Spock's) named Captain Lazer. Along with G.I. Joe and Mrs. Beasley, Major Matt Mason was one of the 10 most desired dolls of the 1960s.
Soon, Tom Hanks will play the part. Paramount is prepping an adaptation of Major Matt Mason with the Oscar winner in the title role, based on a short story about the character written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Chabon.
This is not the first time Hanks has been attached to a Major Matt Mason project. In 2011, an adaptation from director Robert Zemekis (Forrest Gump) was announced but never came to fruition.
Whether this new version hits theaters or not, it's probably best to hold on to all your old toys.