Tom Hanks is bringing a beloved novel to the big screen, and the cast is growing. The upcoming movie adaptation of George Saunders’ book Lincoln in the Bardo has officially added Willem Dafoe, Jonathan Bailey, and Peter Dinklage to the roster. Production company Starburns Industries is developing the project, which will blend live-action performance with stop-motion animation to tell the unusual ghost story.
Three famous actors voice lingering spirits trapped in the afterlife
Tom Hanks steps into the live-action role of President Abraham Lincoln, grieving the sudden loss of his young son Willie. The new cast members will lend their voices to animated ghosts who occupy an intermediate space between life and rebirth, known as the bardo.
Willem Dafoe takes on the role of Reverend Everly Thomas. He plays a former minister who passes away expecting to enter heaven, only to discover a much darker reality. Jonathan Bailey joins the cast as Roger Bevins, the spirit of a young man who ended his own life after a bad breakup but immediately regretted the choice.
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Peter Dinklage rounds out the newly announced trio as Hans Vollman. His character is an animated ghost who remains completely obsessed with returning to his younger wife.
Director Duke Johnson is guiding the movie adaptation for Starburns Industries. The production studio plans to use its animation expertise to bring the bizarre cast of living and dead characters to life. By mixing real actors with animated spirits, it aims to capture the deep emotion of the original novel while exploring themes of love, grief, and human connection.
With this voice cast locked in, the historical drama is shaping up to be one of the most unique adaptations currently in development. Fans of the original book can expect a highly creative take on a heartbreaking piece of history.
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