Julia Roberts And Tom Hanks For W Magazine June 2011

W magazine previews Larry Crowne, the new movie starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts with its June 2011 cover story. Scroll down for the photos and interview excerpts.

On the cover: Julia Roberts wears Dolce & Gabbana silk dress, Burberry belt.  
Tom Hanks wears Tom Ford silk suit, Dolce & Gabbana cotton shirt.

W Mag: Larry Crowne, which Hanks co-wrote and directed, is about a man who loses his job at a Walmart-like store. Instead of wallowing in self-pity or descending into poverty and despair, Crowne decides to go back to college. It is a profoundly optimistic movie - an ode to opportunities in the worst of times. Was that your intent?

Tom Hanks: "Yes. I had this idea about a unique guy who loses his job and then, at the end of the movie, realizes that it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He thought he was going to die, but it turned out great! The movie is about combating cynicism. People are naturally optimistic, but you have to choose to walk away from cynicism. You have to say, I am going to combat cynicism today. People are afraid of change. People say, I can’t do this or that. Why? Because I’d have to change something. Well, yes: You should change. The idea of change makes them nervous, but I think change is good." 

W Mag: Did you write the part of your teacher for Julia Roberts?

Tom Hanks: "Yes. I had some teachers who looked like Julia. I would see them and think, I love you. So there was never anyone but Julia. Still, even after she said yes, I was the boss. That meant I got to say, “You don’t wear this dress, you wear that dress.” And Julia’s Julia—she can be intimidating [Laughs]."

W Mag: Were you nervous at the start of your career?

Tom Hanks: "Always. I get nervous now. But I always remember three things: Show up on time, know what you’re going to say, and have an idea about the character. And when I direct, that’s what I expect from my actors. You’d be amazed how hard it is to do those three things."

W Mag: In Larry Crowne, you play a professor at a junior college who teaches public speaking. Did you go to college?

Julia Roberts: "No. This was my first college experience. And the first time I had to speak in front of a classroom, I was apoplectic. All these faces looking up at me, thinking, What is she going to teach us? I needed to find my composure. It was very hard—it was terrible, in fact."

W Mag: Were you nervous about being directed by Tom Hanks?

Julia Roberts: "God, no. We knew each other socially. When I was in Rome, shooting Eat Pray Love, Tom sent me the script and said, “Tell me what you think.” I couldn’t stop smiling when I read it: It’s topical, but very positive. It contains this moment in history in a very interesting way. The movie says, You can lose your job and your way and still rescue yourself. Larry Crowne creates a self-excavated utopia, and I love that idea, that message. And Tom is so good at making fun of himself. In the beginning of the film, he’s wearing pleated khakis. No one should wear pleated khakis onscreen."

W Mag: Do you ever think of directing?

Julia Roberts: "No. I can direct breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I take pride in my kitchen, but I’m not going to direct a movie."

Julia Roberts wears Versace’s silk dress. Tom Hanks wears Tom Ford’s silk suit and Ermenegildo Zegna’s linen shirt.

Valentino’s red silk lace gown with leather ruffles. Jimmy Choo pumps.

Burberry London’s wool suit; Tom Ford’s cotton shirt. Gucci tie.

What Katie Did’s black and red silk corset; Giorgio Armani’s black wool crepe skirt.

Credit @ Mario Sorrenti / W Magazine