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The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece cover art

The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

Written by: Tom Hanks
Narrated by: Tom Hanks, Peter Gerety, Natalie Morales, Ego Nwodim, Nasim Pedrad, Connor Ratliff, Holland Taylor, Rita Wilson, full cast
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Publisher's Summary

From the legendary actor and best-selling author: a novel about the making of a star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film...and the humble comic books that inspired it. Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought-provoking, while also capturing the changes in America and American culture since World War II.

"Wild, ambitious and exceptionally enjoyable."—Matt Haig, best-selling author The Midnight Library, The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive

Part One of this story takes place in 1947. A troubled soldier, returning from the war, meets his talented five-year-old nephew, leaves an indelible impression, and then disappears for twenty-three years.

Cut to 1970: The nephew, now drawing underground comic books in Oakland, California, reconnects with his uncle and, remembering the comic book he saw when he was five, draws a new version with his uncle as a World War II fighting hero.

Cut to the present day: A commercially successful director discovers the 1970 comic book and decides to turn it into a contemporary superhero movie.

Cue the cast: We meet the film’s extremely difficult male star, his wonderful leading lady, the eccentric writer/director, the producer, the gofer production assistant, and everyone else on both sides of the camera.

Bonus material: Interspersed throughout are three comic books that are featured in the story—all created by Tom Hanks himself—including the comic book that becomes the official tie-in to this novel’s "major motion picture masterpiece."

*Includes a downloadable PDF of the comics from the book and a QR code for access to the original screenplay of Knightshade: The Lathe of Firefall

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Tom Hanks (P) 2023 Random House Audio

What the critics say

"The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece is its own universe, complete with a sun, a cast of circling planets, and a limitless number of stars. Its gravity pulls you in and its far reaching, multi-layered, rollicking exuberance holds you in place. I would have been happy to live inside this book forever." —Ann Patchett, best-selling author of These Precious Days

"This is a wild, ambitious and exceptionally enjoyable novel. A story about how stories happen, with a swirling kaleidoscope of characters across the best part of a century, and a real beating emotional heart. It has a lot of astute and fascinating things to say about comic books, movies, show business, America and human beings. I loved every page." —Matt Haig; author The Midnight Library, The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive

"An extravagant, buoyant, joyfully sprawling book, bursting with affection for its characters, for the intricate lore of the movie business, and for the many ways in which human beings are one another's greatest opportunity." —Tana French, award-winning novelist of In The Woods and The Searcher

What listeners say about The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

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Appreciation for Making a Movie Forever Changed

I will never watch a movie again without thinking of all the work it takes to make a motion picture master piece! The next time the credits scroll down the screen, I will take the time to note and appreciate the role everyone had in the making of the film.

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An all encompassing work of love.

The way this book goes about explaining the details involved in making a motion picture is perfect - it offers an interesting set of colourful characters that feel very real while also unfolding a narrative that drives home the magic that we have all felt about a great movie in our lives. I really appreciated the time taken to explain the seemingly mundane things like planning food for a revolving door of cast and crew. It took away the mystique of making a movie while somehow also making it even more surreal. By the end I was reminded of a Carl Sagan quote: if you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, one must first invent the universe.

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True to its title

It was great to listen to everything that happens as a movie is made. I enjoyed this book completely.

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Layer Cake

I admit to being a complete, unapologetic Tom Hanks fan. This book only reinforces that.
The book itself is like a layer cake. Different parts that could stand on their own but are much better as a whole.
The two major parts of this book are the characters and backstory. The other part is the detail around how movies are made.
Admittedly, this makes the book long and even a bit dry in parts but I wouldn’t try to presume what the book could do without.
If you enjoy Tom Hanks and are curious about moviemaking, I recommend this book. Stick through to the end. There are no surprises or shocks, but it all works and is satisfying!

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Glad I didn't return it

Was about to return it as considered it slow in the beginning. Hearing it for a couple of hours and started visualizing the characters with the help of Tom Hanks powerful narration it was pure joy.

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An interesting look at how movies are made

This is an interesting look at how movies are made. Hanks is a good writer and he flushes out his characters well. unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of plot, but if you're interested in how Hollywood movies are made you will probably enjoy this book. The voice acting is excellent.

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Great choice for my first story audible book.

Loved this so much. And listening to it while I painted the house was fantastic. I even cried at the end. I am a big softie though.

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Excellent story & Loved the Audio version

Enjoy the characters and writing style of Tom Hanks. Spins a good yarn. His narration envelopes you into the story and carries you along.

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great story

Wonderful story. The delivery pulled you in and made you listen. Thank you for this story.

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What can’t Mr Hanks do?

What a great story and narration by Mr Hanks, though, I could probably listen to him read the yogurt ingredient list.

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