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Steven Spielberg’s 1981 film,Hook,is regarded as the best adaptation of J.M. Barrie’sPeter and Wendy. The film presented a different take on the children’s fairytale and provided a different experience than the other iterations. A popular rumor suggested that Tom Hanks was the first choice for the role of an older Peter Pan. However, thePhiladelphiaactor clarified that the story is different.
Hookfocuses on the story of a lawyer played by the late Robin Williams, who learns that he is the older Peter Pan. When his kids are kidnapped by Captain Hook as revenge, he goes back to Neverland and joins forces with the Lost Boys and Julia Roberts’ Tinkerbell. Steven Spielberg’s iteration of the fairy tale initially divided the audiences but became a cult classic moving forward.
Was Tom Hanks the first choice to play Peter Pan inHook?
The lateRobin Williamsaced the role of a grown-up Peter Pan. His performance makes us believe that only the rarest of the stars can handle the role of Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up so seamlessly as him. His transition from the workaholic lawyer in the city to become Peter Pan once again is still talked about among the fans.
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Tom Hanksis also one of the top names in Hollywood with innumerable prestigious accolades to his name. A popular rumor suggested that theSaving Private Ryanactor was the first choice over Robin Williams forHook. However, when the two-time Oscar winner visited theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast, he shared with host Josh Horowitz that it was false information.
Horowitz: “Spielberg, who of course you eventually worked with, he first wanted you to play Peter Pan in Hook. True or false? Do you remember?”
Hanks: “No, that’s false.”
The rumor might have risen because Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have been notablecollaborators. TheIndiana Jonesdirector initially served as co-executive producer in 1986’sThe Money Pitand 1990’sJoe Versus the Volcano. Later he eventually directed Hanks inSaving Private Ryan,Catch Me If you may,The Terminal,Bridge of Spies, andThe Post.
Hookwas appreciated by everyone especially for the performances of Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman as Peter Pan and Captain Hook. According toThe Numbers, the film earned an impressive box office figure of $300 million.
Steven Spielberg initially plannedHookas a musical
Steven Spielberg originally envisionedHookas a full-fledged musical. According toScreenRant, the legendary composer John Williams, who gave music to the 1991 children’s classic, wrote numerous songs with lyricist Leslie Bricusse which were planned to be incorporated in the film. Only the instrumental versions of several of these songs could make it to the final cut.
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While speaking toThe Guardian, Spielberg shared that after the first week of production, he decided not to move in the direction of a musical. According to him,“it just didn’t seem right”for some reason unknown to him.
“I chickened out after the first week of shooting and took all the songs out… It was the biggest paradigm shift I’ve ever had while directing a movie. It just didn’t seem right for some strange reason. Maybe I didn’t feel ready to do a musical.”
It is difficult to imagineHookdifferently. It can be agreed that the path taken by Steven Spielberg led to an impressive feat. From the production value, casting, and performances, to the delightful score by John Williams, it is commendable. Although Spielberg has stated in several interviews that he did not enjoy makingHook, the cult following of the film tells a different story.
Hook(1991)can be streamed on AMC+.
Subham Mandal
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1461
Subham Mandal is currently working as a content writer for FandomWire with an ardent interest in the world of pop culture. He has written more than 1000 articles on different spheres of modern pop culture and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He’s also an experienced student journalist having demonstrated work experience with the Times of India. He aspires to be a column writer in the future.
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Robin WilliamsSteven SpielbergTom Hanks
