Hanks and Mendes Take the 'Road to Perdition' LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- Two-time Academy Award(R)-winning actor Tom Hanks and Academy Award(R)-winning director Sam Mendes will team on DreamWorks Pictures' action drama "Road to Perdition," it was announced today by co-heads of DreamWorks Pictures Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990714/LAW056 ) The film will be produced for the studio by Richard D. Zanuck and Dean Zanuck, the latter of who found the project. David Self is writing the screenplay based on the serialized graphic novels, written by Max Allan Collins and illustrated by Richard Piers Rayner. Set in Depression-era Chicago, the mystery comic strip novel revolves around relentless hit man Michael O' Sullivan, known as the Angel of Death. When his work crosses into his private life, leading to the death of his beloved wife and son, O'Sullivan and his surviving son set out to exact their revenge. In making the announcement, Parkes said, "The teaming of Tom Hanks, Sam Mendes and Dick Zanuck represents a homecoming of sorts for principal talents from three of our most successful films-Tom from 'Saving Private Ryan,' Sam, the director of 'American Beauty,' and Dick, a producer of 'Deep Impact.' We are also looking forward to working with Dean Zanuck, who represents the next generation of the Zanuck film legacy. But it should be noted that none of this would have been possible without the extraordinary script by David Self." Richard Zanuck added, "'Road to Perdition' has all the elements for a great film: compelling drama, action, intriguing mystery and characters you care about. We are very excited about this project and about having such extraordinary talent attached to direct and star. It is also great to be working again with Walter and Laurie and the team at DreamWorks." Sam Mendes made his feature film directorial debut with the critically acclaimed hit "American Beauty," which went on to be the most honored film of 1999. In addition to numerous awards from critics organizations, the film won five Oscars(R), including one for Mendes for Best Director, as well as Best Picture, Best Actor (Kevin Spacey), Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Mendes has also been honored for his work as a theatre director, most notably for the bold revival of the musical "Cabaret," which won the Tony Award for Best Revival, and "The Blue Room," starring Nicole Kidman. Tom Hanks won back-to-back Best Actor Academy Awards(R) for his work on Jonathan Demme's "Philadelphia" and Robert Zemeckis' "Forrest Gump." He also earned Oscar(R) nominations for Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" and Penny Marshall's "Big." He most recently reunited with Zemeckis for the upcoming "Cast Away," and includes among his additional film credits "The Green Mile," "You've Got Mail," "Apollo 13," "Sleepless in Seattle," "A League of Their Own" and "Splash." He made his film directorial debut with "That Thing You Do," in which he also starred. He is currently executive producing (with Steven Spielberg) the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," for which he will also direct. He served in the same capacities on the award-winning HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon." DreamWorks SKG was formed in October, 1994, by its three principal partners-Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen-to produce live-action motion pictures; animated feature films; network, syndicated and cable television programming; home video entertainment; records; books, toys; and consumer products. SOURCE: DreamWorks SKG CONTACT: Susanne Lally of DreamWorks SKG, 818-733-7067/ Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990714/LAW056 AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467/ -END-