Peter Landesman will direct “Parkland,” a drama about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce for Playtone Productions, a spokeswoman for Hanks told TheWrap. Landesman is also the writer on the project, but this will be his first directing gig.
The film will detail the events leading up to the assassination of the nation's 35th president on Nov. 22, 1963, as well as its impact on civilians and government officials. Kennedy was shot while traveling in a motorcade through Dallas, accompanied in the car by his wife Jacqueline and Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie.
Lee Harvey Oswald is cited as the lone gunman, though the president’s death has sparked numerous conspiracy theories involving the CIA and Cuba.
The title of the film refers to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where both Kennedy and Oswald died. Oswald was transported there after being shot after his arrest by Jack Ruby, who also died at the facility years later.
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Landesman’s script calls for an ensemble cast to portray those immediately impacted by the assassination. The writer has one produced credit to his name, “Trade,” a 2007 film based on one of his articles in the New York Times. He executive produced the project as well.
He has since penned scripts for the likes of Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Joel Silver and Playtone.
Variety first reported the news of Landesman's directing and Playtone's involvement.