The only way to really explain Tom Hanks' crude language choice on Good Morning America on Friday was that he was clearly in the midst of staying in character -- as Walt Disney.
Hanks may have been on TV to promote his upcoming epic film Cloud Atlas, but the thin pencil stache he was sporting indicated that he is in the midst of filming Saving Mrs. Banks, in which he plays a late-era Disney. Walter Elias Disney, of course, was known for his sharp quips and vitriolic public displays.
Okay, he wasn't, but it'd be fun to see a film show him like that, anyway.
No, Hanks was displaying one of the many accents he made for the Wachowskis' new sci-fi film, in which he plays many different characters, of various ages, hues and social graces. And after playing a clip from it, he tried to show off one of his accents, but, lo and behold, we could very much hear what he was saying. He covered his mouth immediately -- too late, of course -- and apologized to "the kids of America that are watching right now."
He later tweeted about it, writing, "For GMA, spesh kowtow for Lizzie V for WHAT DID I JUST SAY??? Oops! In character! Sorry! Hanx."
ABC released a statement afterward as well, saying, "This morning Tom Hanks accidently used an expletive during a live interview on GMA with Elizabeth Vargas. They both immediately apologized on air, and the show was corrected for all subsequent feeds."
Note to the Russians: you may want to reconsider some of the posters you've put him on.
