Tom Hanks talks movie set tantrums and the stresses of working in film

From grueling days filming, to re-writing scripts to squabbling stars on movies sets. Tom Hanks has opened up about some of his dark days on film sets, confessing that there have been instances of bad behavior.

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The Forrest Gump actor has released his decade-spanning debut novel, The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece, which focuses on the release of a fictional multi-million-dollar superhero movie and introduces readers to the ‘colorful’ cast, including a ‘pompous film star on the rise’.

The character in the book has been described as disruptive and someone who delayed filming, something that seems worlds away from the 66-year-old – who is regarded as one of the nicest people in Hollywood.

However, speaking to the BBC about his book, he revealed that aspects of the character were similar to his own antics.

‘I have pulled every single one of those moments of behavior myself on a set,’ the Toy Story actor said. ‘Not everybody is at their best every single day on a motion picture set.

‘I’ve had tough days trying to be a professional when my life has been falling apart in more ways than one and the requirement for me that day is to be funny, charming and loving – and it’s the last way I feel.

‘What cannot occur on a motion picture is that someone cannot monkey around with the timing or the length of the shoot or the budget. That is a cardinal sin in the motion picture business.’

‘You will be amazed,’ he added to the outlet. ‘At how many people know that they can get away with it, and are told they can get away with it, because they are carrying the movie on their shoulders.’

Tom has led the way on countless films, including Cast Away, Elvis, Big, The Terminal and A Man Called Otto – and has taken home a string of awards for his efforts – including two best actor Oscars, five Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild trophies.

With The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece, which hits shelves today, the Hollywood legend has added another arc to his incredible career.

The official synopsis for the novel reads: ‘A wildly ambitious story of the making of a colossal, star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film, and the humble comic book that inspired it all.

‘Spanning 80 years of a changing America and culminating in the opening of the film, we meet a colorful cast of characters including a troubled soldier returning from war, a young boy with an artistic gift, an inspired and eccentric director, a pompous film star on the rise, a tireless production assistant and countless film crew members that together create Hollywood magic.

‘Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought-provoking, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece offers an insider’s take on the momentous efforts it takes to make a film. At once a reflection on America’s past and present, on the world of show business and the real world we all live in.’

Tom Hanks calls for Idris Elba to be the next James Bond

66-year-old actor is unequivocal in his verdict that the ‘Luther’ star should be granted 007’s “licence to kill” and succeed Daniel Craig as the legendary spy.

Tom Hanks wants Idris Elba to be the next James Bond “Understand this. James Bond has a licence to kill. I would issue that licence to Idris Elba just based on the work that I’ve seen him do.”

Idris appeared to definitively rule himself out as the next Bond earlier this year by explaining that he prefers to play the unorthodox detective John Luther.

Speaking earlier this year, he said: “You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B’, but I’m not going to be that guy. I’m going to be John Luther. That’s who I am.”

Hanks has written his first novel, ‘The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece’, which is inspired by his own career on screen.

The story is about the making of a superhero action blockbuster and features a cast of characters including an eccentric director and a self-important actor who disrupts filming.

The novel refers to actors who are “cry babies, psychological train wrecks, on-the-wagon alcoholics, off-the-wagon addicts… and more than a couple of feuds between the Talent” and the affable Hanks confessed that he is not always perfectly behaved on set.

The ‘Forrest Gump’ star said: “Not everybody is at their best every single day on a motion picture set.

“I’ve had tough days trying to be a professional when my life has been falling apart in more ways than one and the requirement for me that day is to be funny, charming and loving – and it’s the last way I feel.”