Marc Forster and Tom Hanks Team Up for Remake of Swedish Hit A Man Called Ove

In development since 2017, the U.S. adaptation of the acclaimed Swedish comedy, A Man Called Ove, is finally moving forward with Marc Forster (World War Z, Finding Neverland, The Kite Runner). Hollywood icon Tom Hanks has been attached to the project ever since its announcement and will play the lead role. Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, will also serve as producers on the film.

The currently untitled remake is based on the 2012 novel A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Funny and heartwarming, the novel was revered worldwide and spent 77 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, selling over 7 million copies worldwide. A Swedish film adaptation of the same name was released in 2015 to rave reviews and widespread praise from the audience, becoming one of Sweden’s biggest hits. A Man Called Ove also bagged two Academy Award nominations.

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Both the film and the novel revolve around the titular character, Ove, a grumpy old man. Here is a short synopsis of the film, per IMDb:

Ove, an ill-tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife’s grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors.

It’s unlikely that Hanks’ character will still be called Ove, but we’ll find out soon. The film is set to go on floors this year, and more details regarding the title and setting are expected to be announced shortly. Oscar-nominated writer David Magee (Life of Pi, Finding Neverland) is onboard to pen the screenplay.

A Man Called Ove remake will also mark the first collaboration between Tom Hanks and Marc Forster, who is a big fan of the novel. “When I first read Fredrik Backman’s novel, I fell in love with the notion that friendship has the power to shape a person’s life. I can’t wait to create a film with so much humor and heart alongside Tom and Rita,” Forster said to Deadline.

Rita Wilson, who is producing alongside Fredrik Wikström Nicastro of SF Studios, said:

“Fredrik Backman wrote a novel that has entertained, moved and inspired countless readers through his character of “Ove”. The humanity of the story has resonated with people all over the world, including myself. I have always looked for films that bring people joy and, hopefully, create a common experience of recognizing ourselves in others. It’s an honor to be producing this movie and to be bringing it to audiences everywhere.”

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