Captain Phillips (2013)
- During the filming of Captain Phillips, Tom Hanks improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- Before Tom Hanks was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
Captain Phillips is a 2013 American biographical thriller directed by Paul Greengrass, based on the real-life hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates in April 2009. Tom Hanks stars as Richard Phillips, the captain of the container ship, who is taken hostage when four armed pirates led by Abduwali Muse, played by first-time actor Barkhad Abdi, board his vessel in the Indian Ocean. Paul Greengrass brought his trademark documentary-style intensity to create one of the most gripping survival thrillers of the decade.
Barkhad Abdi's performance as Muse was a revelation โ a Somali-American with no acting experience who delivered a portrayal of desperation, authority, and vulnerability that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Tom Hanks's final scene, depicting Phillips's shock and emotional breakdown during a medical examination after his rescue, was praised as one of the most powerful moments of his career. Captain Phillips earned $218 million worldwide on a $55 million budget.
