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Tom Hanks initiated development Major Matt Mason, a feature based on the Mattel astronaut action figure, in 2009.  Hanks wrote the screenplay with Graham Yost (who scripted episodes of Hanks-produced miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific) and, as a producer with Playtone partner Gary Goetzman, earmarked the lead role for himself.  For a director, Hanks is turning to the man who directed him to Oscar nominations in Forrest Gump and Cast Away: Robert Zemeckis. According to THR, Zemeckis is in talks to direct Major Matt Mason in 3D with a tentative budget over $100 million.  We heard recently that Zemeckis' next project is likely to be Flight, which may shoot as early as the fall.  Post-production could occupy Zemeckis through a good portion of 2012, though Major Matt Mason could get in front of cameras next year when schedules align. Hit the jump for background on the toy. Major Matt Mason...

Tom Hanks and his Playtone Production company are making Major Matt Mason their next project after Larry Crowne, which opens in early July. Tom Hanks is producing, co-writing, and starring in this outer space adventure, and he is currently in talks with Robert Zemeckis to have his old Cast Away director helm the project.

Major Matt Mason will be shot in 3D, and is based on the 1966 Mattel action figure, an astronuat who lives and works on the moon. The toy line eventually went onto include Mason's three-man crew of civilian astronaut Doug Davis, the blonde and blue-eyed Sgt. Storm, and the African-American Lt. Jeff Long. They eventual team up with the giant alien Captain Lazer to battle the threat of hostile extraterrestrials.

Graham Yost, the creator behind the popular FX series Justified, is co-writing the screenplay with Tom Hanks.

As we previously reported, Tom Hanks is also producing six...

You might be wondering why I'm choosing classic toys from the 1960's as some of my "coolest toys ever" picks, especially since I wasn't even born until 1978. I've always had a fascination with toys because I grew up around them. I know more than I should, but some of these toys from the 60's are just too awesome not to mention! I talked about the orignal 1964 G.I. Joes earlier this week, and I thought I would follow that up with another great Toy line that's extremely awesome. The 1966 sci-fi line of Major Matt Mason toys. 

Major Matt Mason was an astronaut who lived and worked on the moon. When introduced, the figures were initially based on design information found in magazines such as Life, Air Force, Jane's, and other aviation- and space-interest periodicals. Later, the line would attempt to transition into the realm of science fiction.

I love the...