Tom Hanks Spills on Working with Clint Eastwood: ‘Don’t Stare Too Long!’

Having spent four decades portraying memorable characters and collaborating with some of the biggest names in film, Tom Hanks thought he had seen it all. However, his encounter with Clint Eastwood brought some surprises. Tom Hanks has a nearly flawless filmography, winning Oscars for his roles in “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump,” and starring in timeless classics like “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Green Mile,” “Cast Away,” “The Terminal,” “Catch Me If You Can,” and more recently “Bridge of Spies” and “Elvis.” He has been directed by Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, the Wachowskis, Sam Mendes, and many others. Yet, until 2016, Clint Eastwood was a notable absentee from his list of collaborators.

A Shoot Reflecting the Director

The film “Sully” recounts the true story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger who, in 2009, managed to land his plane on the Hudson River after a bird strike, saving all 155 people on board. This “Miracle on the Hudson” captivated America, and Eastwood transformed this riveting tale into a restrained yet intense movie, with Tom Hanks playing the role of the reluctant hero.

What struck Hanks the most wasn’t just the story told on screen, but the serene composure of Clint Eastwood during the shoot. Invited on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2016, he humorously described the filmmaker’s approach: “He treats his actors like he treats horses,” he said with a smile, before elaborating.

A Subtle Direction Style

Unlike many directors who like to announce takes with vigor and drama, Clint Eastwood operates in silence. There’s no loud “Action!” Instead, just a subtle hand gesture and a quietly uttered “Go ahead.”

“He raises his finger and makes a circle to indicate rolling,” explained Tom Hanks. “Then he just stands next to you and says, ‘Okay, go.’ And you do it, and maybe he’ll say, ‘Do that again. One more time.’ And you do, and he says, ‘Alright, that’s enough.’”

This method starkly contrasts with typical Hollywood practices. It’s not a mere quirk; it’s a habit he developed early in his career during the 1960s on the set of the television series “Rawhide,” where the noise of megaphones and shouts of “Action!” would spook the horses.

“So, he and all other cast members on their horses were supposed to have a conversation, and all this preparation and shouting ‘ACTION!’ would make the horses panic. One day, he just suggested in his inaudible way: ‘Is there a way you could just, you know, tell us to ‘go’ instead of saying ‘action’ so the horses won’t bolt?’”

Attuned to the need for calm, Eastwood proposed a gentler approach, which he has maintained ever since.

A Legendary Figure… Yet Unassuming

Tom Hanks also shared how impressive Clint Eastwood’s presence was: “It’s almost like saying, ‘Guess what, Mount Rushmore just came down from South Dakota, and you’re working for it now.’ He is definitely the man in charge when he steps onto the set. You just want to please him. You don’t want to look him in the eyes too long, because he has that kind of stare, you know? [He squints] And you don’t want to be on the receiving end of that.”

Eastwood’s understated demeanor, his calm authority, make him a distinctive director. And even for a seasoned actor like Tom Hanks, working with him remains a uniquely intimidating experience.

“Sully” is available for streaming on Max or Prime Video.

Listen to Tom Hanks share his anecdote on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live below: