April 13, 2011 
Tom Hanks has signed up for the epic adaptation of David Mitchell’s sprawling novel Cloud Atlas, to be helmed by Andy and Lana Wachowski (The Matrix) and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run).
According to Deadline, Tykwer and the Wachowskis will jointly write and direct the project, which features six-interconnected stories. The convoluted logline is as follows:
“An epic story of humankind in which the actions and consequences of our lives impact one another throughout the past, present and future as one soul is shaped from a murderer into a savior and a single act of kindness ripples out for centuries to inspire a revolution.”
Well, alright then.
It is unknown what role Hanks will have in the project (frankly, everyone is probably still trying to wrap their heads around the logline). Warner Bros are set to distribute the film in the U.S., while Focus Features International will take the film worldwide. Shooting begins in September.
Discuss: Does this sound like everyone involved is biting off a bit more than they can chew?
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Cloud Atlas is a complex book that is more suited to a mini series than a movie. It would be a tremendous accomplishment if they could make a cohesive and entertaining movie out of it. Highly ambitious. Someone should call Charlie Kaufman.