Khaberni - Egyptian director Mohamed Diab revealed that he received an offer from international star Tom Hanks ten years ago to direct his latest film, but he declined.
Diab explained in a conversation with Egyptian writer Abbas Abu Al-Hassan on his podcast “Dialogues with Abbas,” which airs on “YouTube,” the details of what happened with Hanks.
Diab also spoke about that period, saying, "He would sit in the café and tell his friends about his refusal to accept Hanks’ offer, where some thought he was lying or insane."
However, he noted that he describes himself as a professional writer and an amateur director, so when he takes on directing, he needs to be fully versed in all aspects of the work.
Therefore, when the famous actor sent him the film "Greyhound," which was written and produced by the global star and set during World War II inside a submarine, Diab realized that Hanks had seen his film "Clash," which took place inside a prison transport vehicle, and thus offered him the film after it received wide acclaim, especially at the Cannes Festival.
But the Egyptian director did not feel drawn to the film after reading it, so he refused to take on the responsibility of directing it.
"The Right Decision"
In response to a question about the necessity of accepting work with a global star like Hanks, and considering it a step forward, Diab believed that it could also be a step towards destroying his entire future if it failed.
It is worth mentioning that Diab is an Egyptian director and screenwriter who is considered one of the most prominent filmmakers in the Arab world in recent years. He is famous for presenting works that discuss social and political issues with boldness and realism, among which the most famous is the film "Clash."
He also entered the world of Hollywood when he directed the international TV series Moon Knight in 2022, produced by Marvel Studios, to become the first Egyptian director to lead a major work in the Marvel world and collaborated with the duo Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke.
