The Many Characters Portrayed by Tom Hanks in The Polar Express
How many characters does Tom Hanks bring to life in the beloved Christmas film, The Polar Express? Uncover the astonishing range of roles played by this talented actor as you journey through this modern holiday classic
In the modern Christmas classic, The Polar Express, Tom Hanks takes on multiple roles in the first entirely motion-capture picture released back in 2004. Can you name every character played by the beloved actor?
Most moviegoers can name at least four characters, and if they can't name Conductor, then they haven't seen the movie or they're not a true fan. Eddie's distinctive voice and his daring adventures on top of the train during a blizzard are memorable. But what about the other characters? Hold on, because we have the answer.
How many roles does Tom Hanks play in The Polar Express?
Tom Hanks provides the voice for seven characters in The Polar Express: Hero Boy, Hero Boy’s father, the Conductor, the ghost on top of the train, the Scrooge puppet, the narrator, and Santa Claus.
At one point, he nearly played every single role in the movie. Unfortunately, this quickly became tiresome and Zemeckis opted for a wider cast.
In a previous interview with IGN, Hanks discussed the challenge of portraying multiple characters in the film. "When Bob explained the process to me and how it would allow adults to play the kid roles, with Nona as the girl, and me as the boy, along with Eddie Deezen and Peter Scolari joining in, it opened up a lot of possibilities," he said.
"Bob even suggested that I play every role in the movie to make it work. I hesitated, questioning how I could play every character, including the girls. But he insisted that it would be great."
As an actor, I had to take on multiple roles in one day during our tests, and it was exhausting. I had to keep track of each character and their differences, how they related to the boy, and what the boy's perceptions of them were. It was challenging, but I managed to make it work.
During the movie's production, Hanks entertained the crew by playfully inserting swear words into his lines. "I'll tell you what, this is one hell of a train. This is the best damn train I've ever been on. Damn, this hot chocolate tastes awful," he joked.
For a list of the top 25 Christmas movies of all time, click here. And if you've seen a poster for a Polar Express sequel, we've debunked it here.
Editor's P/S
As a true fan of The Polar Express, I am amazed by Tom Hanks' incredible performance in portraying multiple characters in the film. His ability to bring each character to life with distinct personalities and voices is truly remarkable. From the heartwarming Hero Boy to the wise and compassionate Conductor, Hanks' versatility shines through in every scene. The fact that he almost played every single role in the movie further demonstrates his dedication and commitment to the project.
The behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Hanks entertaining the crew with playful swear words add a touch of humor and camaraderie to the production process. It's clear that Hanks not only brought his acting prowess to the film but also created a fun and enjoyable atmosphere on set. Overall, Tom Hanks' contributions to The Polar Express have made it a timeless holiday classic that continues to captivate audiences year after year.
