Tom Hanks Is Working With Apple on a ‘Greyhound’ Sequel
Credit: Apple
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In early 2020, Apple scored a major film coup when it snagged the rights to Greyhound, the first film superstar Tom Hanks had ever released directly to a streaming service. Now, Hanks is teaming up with Apple for a sequel.
The global health pandemic played a significant role in Greyhound landing on Apple TV+; Sony Pictures initially planned to debut the film in theatres in early May but was forced to push that back to mid-June in the face of lockdowns and social distancing. When it realized that theatres wouldn’t be reopening anytime soon — at least not to full-capacity crowds — it began quietly shopping the film around to find a streaming service.
Apple beat out Netflix and other rivals, paying close to $70 million to acquire the film in what was reportedly a heated bidding war. Hanks also had to personally approve the deal before it closed, which may have swung things Apple’s way since he was already working with Apple Studios on Masters of the Air alongside Steven Spielberg.
Greyhound debuted on Apple TV+ on July 10, 2020, and while the pandemic undoubtedly helped bolster viewership, the opening weekend audience rivaled that of a summer blockbuster. What began as an uncertain experiment — Hanks was said to be “testing the waters” with its release — turned out to be an unqualified success.
Hanks was obviously sold, as he returned to Apple TV+ in 2021 in Finch, and now Deadline reports that he’s preparing a sequel to Greyhound that’s slated to begin filming next year.
The 2020 Greyhound was written by Tom Hanks, who also starred in the leading role as George Krause, a career officer who is finally given command of a Navy destroyer during the famous Battle of the Atlantic. He’s tasked with leading a convoy behind stalked by a wolf pack of German submarines. In the process, Krause fights not only with the enemy forces but also struggles with his own self-doubts to prove himself worthy of the responsibility he’s been given.
Tom Hanks stars as a longtime Navy veteran who, as a first-time captain, is tasked with protecting a convoy of 37 ships carrying thousands of soldiers and much-needed supplies across the treacherous waters of the Atlantic during World War II. For five days with no air cover, the captain and his small force of three escort ships must make their way through an area of the ocean known as “the Black Pit,” battling Nazi U-boats while protecting their invaluable ships and soldiers. “Greyhound” is inspired by events during the Battle of the Atlantic, which took place in the earliest months of America’s alliance with Great Britain and the Allied Forces.
While the Battle of the Atlantic began in 1939, the US only started actively participating in September 1941, assisting with escorting British and Canadian convoys three months before it officially entered World War II in December. Greyhound is set in February 1942, in the early stages of America’s involvement with the Allied Forces.
In the new film, also written by Hanks, the Oscar-winning actor will reprise his role as Captain Krause, still commanding the Greyhound as the crew travels “from the beaches of Normandy to the ocean in the Pacific as they help turn the tide of the war.”
Although little else is known about the story at this stage, the references suggest a 1944 timeline to align with key events of World War II. The Battle of Normandy (“Operation Overlord”) occurred on June 6, 1944, commemorated as D-Day, while the Battle of the Philippine Sea (“The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”) happened on June 19–20, 1944.
It’s unlikely a WWII destroyer would be able to make that journey in two weeks when factoring in weather, fuelling stops, and maintenance. It’s not technically impossible, and the movie may use artistic license to ensure Captain Krause and his crew can get to the Philippines in time. However, the next major Pacific WWII engagement, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, seems like it would be more appropriate, as it’s not only considered by many to be the largest naval battle in history but also had far more involvement by traditional warships like destroyers and not just carriers and aerial forces.
Director Aaron Schneider and producer Gary Goeztman are returning for the sequel, Deadline says, and talks are still in progress with key cast members from the first movie, including Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, and Elisabeth Shue.
Filming is expected to begin in January 2026 in Sydney, Australia. There’s no word on when or how it will debut, but it’s likely to get a big theatrical release, following Brad Pitt’s F1 on Apple’s list of summer blockbuster films.
