Tom Hanks apologises to Connor Ratliff after infamous firing over ‘dead eyes’

Actors Tom Hanks and Connor Ratliff have a very…unique history.

Over 20 years ago, at age 24, Connor auditioned for the miniseries Band Of Brothers, which was directed by Tom – who rejected him for the role on the basis that he had ‘dead eyes’.

Two decades on, Connor, now 46, has told the story many times and even has his own podcast titled Dead Eyes – the most recent guest being none other than Tom.

Yep, the pair finally hashed out the ‘dead eyes’ situation, with Tom saying he doesn’t remember it happening but nonetheless apologising.

‘Let me take full responsibility for doing this to you,’ Tom, 65, said on the podcast. ‘This was without a doubt the act of the director, and that was me.

‘There was something stuck in a craw or one of those very, very subtle sort of decisions that aims the story in the direction you want it to go.’

‘In the inner sanctum of whatever this casting session was on Band of Brothers… I’m sure I said, “I don’t know man, that guy’s got dead eyes,”‘ he continued.

‘I could’ve said, “He’s got too blond of hair; he’s too tall and I can’t have the aide be taller than Captain Winters.” I could’ve said, “He’s too short and slight … I could’ve said any of these things, and they would have been true and they would’ve been the opinion.’

Tom also recalled being ‘aghast’ when he was told about the podcast’s origin, but it seems the pair have well and truly buried the hatchet.

We love a happy ending!

War drama Band of Brothers, released in 2001, was co-created by Tom and director Steven Spielberg, and ended up winning Emmy and Golden Globes awards. It featured a large ensemble cast.

Despite the notorious rejection, Connor has seen success, appearing in the likes of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, The George Lucas Talk Show and Search Party.

Meanwhile, Tom is now turning his attention to the live action Pinnochio, with the trailer recently dropping.

Oscar-winner Tom is shown as one of Disney’s most classic characters, the elderly wood-carver Geppetto, who builds and treats the puppet Pinocchio as if he were his own son.

This initial peek at the movie shows Disney looks to be staying faithful to the look of the characters it created for its iconic 1940 animation.

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