Hanks has comedy in store

Tom Hanks loves his comedy.

You just have to glance at his CV to realise that. Well, now the funnyman is looking to channel that love into a film that traces the roots of Los Angeles’ famed Comedy Store.

Developing the project at his Playtone Productions offices, the flick will revolve around the life of Comedy Store founder Mitzi Shore. It’s based on the novel I'm Dying Up Here: Heartbreak and High Times in Stand-up Comedy's Golden Era /.

Over the years, Mitzi’s venue hosted the likes of Woody Allen, Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey.

The book is a factual account written by journalist William Knoedelseder. Back in the '70s, he followed the comedians working at that time who were trying to make it in the industry, and who were outraged when the Store decided not to pay them.

No word yet if any of the above will be making an appearance, or if younger actors will be cast to play their roles (if they appear at all, that is).

But if anybody can twist an arm or two and make old animosities fade into the background, it's Tom Hanks.

Reminded of Funny People at all? Or intrigued by the premise? Give us a shout...

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.