Tom Hanks, who is producing Meg Ryan’s directorial debut movie Ithaca, gave everyone on the set of the film an adorable speech about supporting her.
It’s not like Meg Ryan isn’t “getting her life” all by herself directing a movie about a heroic teen boy who shows everyone what he’s made of during WWII, but Hanks did do something lovely again. Entertainment Weekly asked Ryan what it meant to have Hanks on set, and she told such a sweet story about it that it could belong in a little indie book shop.
He’s just so dear. He so did not have to do that. It took him a day to [shoot his scene.] At the end of his time, he says to the crew, “All right, gather ‘round. Listen, I know we’ve gotten to know each other very well over the last 10 hours together, but I just want to thank you for being here for my friend Meg.” It was such an act of friendship. I love him so much.
The duo previously played opposite each other in the romantic comedies Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. Hanks won’t play Ryan’s love interest in this movie though. But that doesn’t matter. Wherever Meg Ryan goes, Tom Hanks is there. He will always be there, lending a sturdy helping hand and a voice of comfort with his pep talks about how great she is. And the bond lives on.
Ryan will star alongside Sam Shepard, Melanie Griffith and Jack Quaid in Ithaca.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Kamala Harris Knocked Donald Trump Off Course
- Introducing TIME's 2024 Latino Leaders
- George Lopez Is Transforming Narratives With Comedy
- How to Make an Argument That’s Actually Persuasive
- What Makes a Friendship Last Forever?
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
- The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com