Tom Hanks' Surprising Connection To 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Tom Hanks was not in *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, but he did produce the film with his production company, Playtone. Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, saw the play and recommended that her husband produce a movie version. Hanks later said that casting Nia Vardalos in the lead role brings a huge amount of integrity to the piece because it's Nia's version of her own life and her own experience.

Tom Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, saw the play and recommended that her husband produce a movie version

Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks' wife, saw the play 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and recommended that her husband produce a movie version. Rita Wilson is of Greek origin, and the play was written by and starred Nia Vardalos, who based it on her own experiences marrying a non-Greek man. The play was a sold-out success, and after seeing it, Wilson convinced her husband, actor Tom Hanks, to watch it as well.

Tom Hanks' production company, Playtone, contacted Vardalos about producing a film based on her vision for the play. Hanks later said that casting Vardalos in the lead role "brings a huge amount of integrity to the piece because it's Nia's version of her own life and her own experience. I think that shows through on the screen and people recognize it."

The film premiered in 2002 and became a sleeper hit, grossing over $368.7 million worldwide. It received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including Best Original Screenplay at the 75th Academy Awards. The film's success spawned a franchise, including a 2003 sitcom, 'My Big Fat Greek Life', and two sequels, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' in 2016 and 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' in 2023.

Hanks' production company, Playtone, agreed to produce a film based on Vardalos' vision

Tom Hanks is not in *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, but his production company, Playtone, did produce the film. Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, were passionate about the project, which was based on a one-woman show written and performed by Nia Vardalos. Wilson, who is of Greek origin, saw the show and convinced Hanks to see it as well. Hanks's company, Playtone, agreed to produce a film based on Vardalos' vision.

Vardalos had written a screenplay, but she struggled to find a studio that would produce the film without making significant changes to the plot and lead role. However, Hanks and Playtone producer Gary Goetzman wanted to preserve Vardalos' vision, and they agreed to produce a film that stayed true to her original story.

The film, directed by Joel Zwick, premiered in 2002 and became a surprise success, grossing $368.7 million worldwide against its $5 million budget. It received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including Best Original Screenplay at the 75th Academy Awards. It also spawned a franchise, with two sequels and a TV series, *My Big Fat Greek Life*, following its release.

Rita Wilson, who is of Greek origin, convinced her husband, Tom Hanks, to see the play

Wilson first saw the play 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' and recommended that her husband produce a movie version. Hanks' production company, Playtone, contacted Nia Vardalos about producing a film based on her vision for it. Vardalos, who wrote and starred in the play and film, said she hung up on Hanks when he called because she did not believe it was really him. Hanks later said that casting Vardalos in the lead role "brings a huge amount of integrity to the piece because it's Nia's version of her own life and her own experience".

The film became a sleeper hit and grossed over $368.7 million worldwide, becoming one of the top romantic films of the 21st century. It was the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2002 in the US and Canada and the highest-grossing romantic comedy domestically in history. It also inspired a franchise, including a 2003 sitcom, 'My Big Fat Greek Life', and two sequels, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' and 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3'.

Hanks later said that casting Vardalos brought integrity to the film

Tom Hanks is not in *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*. However, he did play a role in the making of the film. Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, who is of Greek origin, saw the play and recommended that her husband produce a movie version. Hanks' production company, Playtone, contacted Vardalos about producing a film based on her vision. Hanks later said that casting Vardalos in the lead role "brings a huge amount of integrity to the piece because it's Nia's version of her own life and her own experience. I think that shows through on the screen and people recognize it."

Vardalos' real-life husband at the time of filming, Ian Gomez, plays Ian Miller's best friend, Mike

In the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Nia Vardalos's real-life husband at the time of filming, Ian Gomez, plays the character of Mike, who is the best friend of John Corbett's character, Ian Miller. The film, released in 2002, was based on Vardalos's own experience of marrying a non-Greek man, which was also Ian Gomez.

In the movie, Vardalos portrays the lead character, Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos-Miller, a young Greek-American woman who falls in love with Ian Miller, a non-Greek schoolteacher. The plot follows Toula's journey of gaining her family's acceptance of her relationship with Ian, while also exploring her cultural identity.

Vardalos and Gomez's on-screen and off-screen relationship added a layer of authenticity to the film, which was inspired by Vardalos's real-life romance. Their dynamic brought a unique dynamic to the story, as they portrayed a couple navigating the challenges of intercultural romance and family expectations.

Gomez's portrayal of Mike, the best friend of Ian Miller, offered a supporting role that contributed to the film's comedic and heartfelt moments. Mike's character provided a contrast to Ian's, as he navigated the intricacies of Greek family traditions and dynamics, ultimately becoming a part of the Portokalos family himself.

While Vardalos and Gomez divorced in 2018, their collaboration in My Big Fat Greek Wedding remains a memorable aspect of the film's success and impact. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, grossing $368.7 million worldwide. It resonated with audiences worldwide and became one of the top romantic films of the 21st century.

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