Tom Hanks’ Crucial Behind-the-Scenes Contribution to ‘Apollo 13’

Tom Hanks has fond memories from his childhood in California, particularly of watching NASA’s Apollo launches on TV. Growing up during the height of the Space Race, Hanks, like countless children across America, became captivated by the vast possibilities of space exploration.

In a 1995 interview with Entertainment Weekly, just before the release of Apollo 13, Hanks proudly declared his lifelong passion for the space program. “I heavily followed the space program when I was a kid,” he said, which turned out to be quite the understatement. Further probing revealed that he not only remembered the crews of Apollo 7 through 12 but could actually name all the crews up to Apollo 17, along with some missions from the Gemini program, demonstrating his deep enthusiasm for the subject.

Given his status as Hollywood’s foremost space enthusiast, Hanks had long dreamed of bringing an Apollo 13 film to life. Before his involvement in Ron Howard’s acclaimed 1995 film, he had been discussing the idea for years. Hanks humorously recalled, “I talked to my team of industry experts ages ago and said, ‘We absolutely need to create a film about Apollo 13; it’s an incredible saga.’”

The story depicted in this Oscar-winning film recounts NASA’s fifth crewed moon mission, which encountered a harrowing series of mishaps, starting with an onboard explosion that left three astronauts stranded in orbit. The film captures the suspenseful efforts of NASA’s flight controllers and the astronauts as they worked against the clock to devise a safe return to Earth.

From the outset, Hanks, who portrayed Commander Jim Lovell, was enthusiastic about the project, akin to a kid in a candy store—except this kid was a major star determined to ensure the film’s technical accuracy. His fascination with NASA’s operations and eagerness to engage with authentic equipment and uniforms led co-star Bill Paxton to jest, “Tom is going to build a lunar module in his backyard.”

Although Paxton’s quip was lighthearted, Hanks’ commitment to the project made him a key figure in the film’s production, and his enthusiasm inspired his fellow actors. He played a crucial role in persuading Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Kevin Bacon to experience the sensation of zero gravity aboard NASA’s KC-135 aircraft, humorously called the ‘Vomit Comet.’ The lunar module sets were constructed inside this aircraft, allowing the actors to experience true weightlessness rather than relying on wires for special effects.

Cinematographer Dean Cundey noted in an interview with SyFy Wire, “Tom Hanks was immensely influential throughout the project. He was passionate about practical effects and served as a guiding force, motivating other actors—Kevin and Bill—to fully commit.”

Hanks’ relentless pursuit of authenticity fostered an environment in which the cast arrived on set eager to understand and embody the mindset and science of astronauts. His impact on the finished film is undeniably profound.