Filming has just begun on the feature film The Papers starring Oscar winners Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump) and Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady, Sophie’s Choice, Kramer vs Kramer). 20th Century Fox and Amblin Entertainment announced production kicked off on May 30, 2017 in New York, with Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Schlinder’s List) producing and directing. Liz Hannah and Josh Singer wrote the screenplay for the drama, with Amy Pascal and Kristie Macosko Krieger on board as producers.
The Papers marks the first collaboration between Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Steven Spielberg. The ensemble cast also includes Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bradley Whitford, and Zach Woods. 20th Century Fox is targeting a limited theatrical release on December 22, 2017 followed by a wide release in theaters on January 12, 2018.
The Papers Plot: In June 1971 The New York Times, the Washington Post and the nation’s major newspapers took a brave stand for freedom of speech and reported on the Pentagon Papers, the massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned four decades and four US Presidents. At the time, the Post’s Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) was still finding her footing as the country’s first female newspaper publisher, and Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), the paper’s volatile, driven editor, was trying to enhance the stature of the struggling, local paper. Together, the two formed an unlikely team, as they were forced to come together and make the bold decision to support The New York Times and fight the Nixon Administration’s unprecedented attempt to restrict the first amendment.
