Greyhound, written by and starring Tom Hanks, was originally headed for theatres. But the World War II film set in the Atlantic changed course to be an Apple TV+ exclusive.
Apple announced Thursday that the drama, with Hanks portraying a navy captain struggling to get a convoy through submarine-infested waters, will debut Friday, July 10.
Greyhound will be about as action-packed as a film can be when its leading man is 63 years old. Apple’s description of the flick says;
Tom Hanks stars as a longtime Navy veteran who, as a first-time captain, is tasked with protecting a convoy of 37 ships carrying thousands of soldiers and much-needed supplies across the treacherous waters of the Atlantic during World War II. For five days with no air cover, the captain and his small force of three escort ships must make their way through an area of the ocean known as “the Black Pit,” battling Nazi U-boats while protecting their invaluable ships and soldiers. “Greyhound” is inspired by events during the Battle of the Atlantic, which took place in the earliest months of America’s alliance with Great Britain and the Allied Forces.
Apple TV+ won the war for Greyhound
Deadline reported in May that Sony Pictures originally acquired world rights to Greyhound. But after the coronavirus pandemic closed theaters worldwide, the studio offered it to streaming services. The film reportedly became the focus of a major bidding war, according to Deadline. Apple reportedly paid somewhere around $70 million for the rights.
Watching this movie, and the dozens of other Apple TV+ shows and films, requires a $4.99 a month subscription. Or those who purchase a new Mac, iPhone, Apple TV or iPad get a free year of the service.
Also coming this summer from Apple are the comedic documentary Dads, the biopic Greatness Code, the musical drama Little Voice, and the sports comedy Ted Lasso.
