Tom Hanks to Star as Abraham Lincoln in Supernatural 'Lincoln in the Bardo' Film

The film, based on George Saunders' award-winning novel, will feature Hanks as Lincoln in a ghostly, fictional tale.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Tom Hanks will portray President Abraham Lincoln in an upcoming film adaptation of George Saunders' novel "Lincoln in the Bardo." The supernatural story will follow the aftermath of the death of Lincoln's 11-year-old son Willie, with Hanks playing the grieving president. Saunders is adapting the screenplay, and Oscar-winning director Duke Johnson will helm the project.

Why it matters

This film marks a departure from traditional Lincoln biopics, instead exploring the 16th president's life through a fantastical, ghostly lens. By blending historical fact with supernatural fiction, the movie aims to provide a unique perspective on Lincoln's personal life and the impact of his son's death during the Civil War.

The details

The novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" follows the events after Willie Lincoln's death in 1862, when the president was said to have visited his son's crypt multiple times. The story imagines Willie's spirit trapped in a transitional state between life and death, known as the "bardo" in Tibetan tradition. Hanks will portray Lincoln as he grapples with his grief, while the ghosts around Willie's body engage in a "monumental struggle" over the boy's soul.

  • Willie Lincoln died of typhoid fever in February 1862 at the age of 11.
  • The film adaptation is currently in development, with no set release date announced.

The players

Tom Hanks

An acclaimed American actor who will portray President Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming film.

George Saunders

The author of the novel "Lincoln in the Bardo," which the film is based on. Saunders is also adapting the screenplay.

Duke Johnson

An Oscar-winning director who will helm the film adaptation of "Lincoln in the Bardo."

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What they’re saying

“My poor boy, he was too good for this earth. God has called him home.”

— Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States (Newspapers)

What’s next

The film is currently in development, with no set release date announced. Fans of the novel and Lincoln historians will be eagerly awaiting more details on the supernatural take on this pivotal moment in the 16th president's life.

The takeaway

By adapting George Saunders' award-winning novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" for the screen, this upcoming film promises to offer a unique and imaginative exploration of Abraham Lincoln's personal life and grief during the Civil War era. The blend of historical fact and supernatural fiction provides a fresh perspective on one of America's most revered presidents.