Image: REX USA/David Fisher/Rex.
In case Tom Hanks' everyman-appeal, iconic film roles, and off-the-set goofiness doesn't do it for you, this just might. It seems we can thank the two-time Oscar winner for bringing a certain British dreamboat, one Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch, to Hollywood's attention. Where do we send the thank you note and cookie bouquet?
In an interview with Radio Times, Hanks revealed that he was responsible for casting Cumberbatch in the 2006 British film Starter for 10 thereby giving the snub-nosed Sherlock star one of his first big breaks.
"Every British actor [in it] has since become a huge star," Hanks bragged. "We had James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch in his first or second movie, Rebecca Hall — it was definitely her first movie. We even had that guy — James Corden? Right. It was like a Murderers’ Row of British up-and-comers. Unfortunately, they hadn’t quite upped and come because we didn’t do much business, but there were scenes in there that were just, dare I say it, perfect."
The young cast also included Alice Eve and Dominic Cooper, who both went on to major film roles. But, who had any idea that the geeky, pedantic University Challenge team leader played by Cumberbatch would transform into a sexy sleuth with a mop of perfect curls? Well done, Hanks, well done. (Huffington Post)