Oscar-winning streaming giant Apple has announced that a sequel to the 2020 WWII film Greyhound, which starred Tom Hanks, is currently in development. Greyhound is based on the 1955 novel The Good Shepherd by author C.S. Forester. The story takes place months after the U.S. officially entered World War II and centers around a commander of the US Navy as he leads an escort group to defend Allied merchant ships under attack by German submarines in the Battle of the Atlantic in 1942. Alongside Hanks, the film also featured Elizabeth Shue (The Karate Kid), Stephen Graham (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), and Rob Morgan (Don't Look Up).

Now, per Deadline, it's been confirmed by Apple that a sequel for the WWII action thriller Greyhound is in the works. The news was announced as part of a multi-year exclusive deal made by Hanks and producing partner Gary Goetzman with the streaming giants. The deal includes multiple unscripted projects, documentaries, and series based on WWII, including the recently-wrapped episodic Masters of the Air. Hanks is also attached to star in the untitled Greyhound sequel. With plot details yet to be revealed, it's unclear whether the Forrest Gump actor will take on screenplay duties, as he did for the first film.

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While Greyhound was initially meant to receive a theatrical release in 2020 from Sony, the distribution rights were sold to Apple TV+ due to the pandemic. However, Hanks' presence ensured strong viewership numbers. The Academy Award-winning streamer behind recent Best Picture winner CODA is looking to capitalize on the new deal and the Saving Private Ryan star's popularity among casual and avid moviegoers. Fans of Tom Hanks will undoubtedly be excited to see his next adventure as Commander Ernest Krause and if the result is anything like the first film, then they are in for a treat when the Greyhound sequel eventually drops on Apple TV+.

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Source: Deadline