Tom Hanks may star in Nazi Germany chronicle 'In the Garden of Beasts'

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Tom Hanks may star in Nazi Germany chronicle 'In the Garden of Beasts'

Tom Hanks's Playtone and Universal Pictures have optioned the rights to Erik Larson's bestselling nonfiction book about life in Hitler's Germany.

Tom Hanks may also star in the film adaptation of Erik Larson's bestseller 'In the Garden of Beasts.'

By Molly Driscoll

Nov. 30, 2011, 4:16 p.m. ET

Tom Hanks鈥� production company Playtone Productions and Universal Pictures have optioned the film rights to Erik Larson鈥檚 bestselling 2011 book 鈥淚n the Garden of Beasts.鈥澛�

, Hanks is also considering starring in the movie as William Dodd, the US ambassador to Nazi Germany in 1933. The book focuses on the experiences and life in Berlin of Dodd and his daughter, Martha, who had affairs with several men, including a member of the Gestapo.

Playtone Productions, Hanks鈥� production company with Gary Goetzman, also produced Hanks鈥� film 鈥�Larry Crowne鈥� which was released this summer, as well as the miniseries "The Pacific" and "John Adams."

Molly Driscoll is a Monitor contributor.

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