Tom Hanks plays against type in A Man Called Otto, and as the movie delves into the grumpy character's backstory, audiences encounter a younger version of Otto. Casting a convincing younger version of a face as recognizable as Hanks' is no easy feat, but director Marc Forster made the ideal choice to effectively pull it off.
The movie relies on multiple flashbacks to explain the tragedy that has made Hanks' Otto Anderson such a cynical grouch to the new family that moves in next door to him. In order to ensure that the flashbacks in A Man Called Otto maintain the proper gravitas needed to effectively tell the story, it was important that the younger version of Hanks not be distracting. Forster came up with a unique idea to make it work, which was fully embraced by the prolific cinematic legend.
Tom Hanks' Son Truman Plays the Younger Version of Otto
Tom Hanks' youngest son Truman Hanks plays the younger version of Otto Anderson in A Man Called Otto. The 27-year-old has only one other acting credit to his name, as a nameless character titled "German Rider" in his father's 2020 Western News of the World. Despite being the son of two legendary film stars in the form of Hanks and his mother Rita Wilson, the younger Hanks never displayed an interest in acting up until his role in A Man Called Otto.
Tom Hanks revealed it was actually director Marc Forster who came up with the idea to use Truman in the role, considering how much he looks like his father and the fact that he fits the age of the character during the flashback scenes (via YouTube). Hanks admits being nervous for him to take the part but ultimately encouraged his son to embrace the opportunity. A Man Called Otto became a surprising box office hit but it remains to be seen if the success will lead to any future acting roles for the typically-private Truman Hanks.
A Man Called Otto Is The First Time One Of Tom Hanks' Sons Has Played His Younger Self
While A Man Called Otto is Truman Hanks' first significant role, Hanks' other sons have a number of acting credits. Chet Hanks had a significant role in the Emmy-nominated drama Power, along with smaller roles in notable shows like Shameless, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Your Honor. Tom Hanks' oldest son Colin Hanks has had a number of high-profile film roles, including King Kong and Orange County, alongside notable television roles in Dexter, The Good Guys, and Roswell. Both have appeared on-screen with their father; Chet Hanks had a cameo in the Apple TV+ movie Greyhound while Colin Hanks actually played Tom Hanks' character's son in 2008's The Great Buck Howard.
Despite his prolific career and appearance on-screen with two of his sons, A Man Called Otto actually represents the first time that one of Hanks' sons has played a younger version of him. Hanks' oldest son Colin Hanks bears a striking resemblance to his father, perhaps even more so than Truman Hanks. However, Colin Hanks is now 45, which likely made him too old to convincingly play the younger version of Hanks that was needed for the flashbacks in A Man Called Otto.