Tom Hanks Portrays Santa Claus in The Polar Express
Tom Hanks played Santa Claus in the 2004 animated film The Polar Express. He also performed motion capture and voiced multiple characters in the movie.
Tom Hanks Played Multiple Roles in the Film
In addition to Santa, Hanks voiced the Hero Boy as an adult, the Conductor, the Hobo, and Santa's lead elf. The film used performance capture technology to translate his movements and expressions onto the animated characters.
Why Tom Hanks Was Chosen for the Role
Director Robert Zemeckis chose Hanks for his recognizable voice and ability to convey warmth and authority. Hanks had previously worked with Zemeckis on Forrest Gump and Cast Away, making him a familiar collaborator for the ambitious motion capture project.
Other Key Cast Members in The Polar Express
While Hanks played Santa, the ensemble cast included Eddie Deezen as Know-It-All, Nona Gaye as Hero Girl, and Peter Scolari as Billy the Lonely Boy. The film was adapted from Chris Van Allsburg's picture book and produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and Shangri-La Entertainment.
