John Lee Hancock: Saving Mr. Banks

December 8, 2013

Director Q&As in Los Angeles and New York

A collision between the worlds of children’s literature and Hollywood is the setting for Director John Lee Hancock’s new feature Saving Mr. Banks.

Hancock’s film tells the story of the dynamic between venerable author P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson) and beloved film exec Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) as they clashed over the film adaptation of her novel Mary Poppins.

Hancock spoke about the making of the film in a conversation with Director D.J. Caruso (Standing Up) after the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on December 7, and Director Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer) following the DGA membership screening in New York on December 11.

Hancock’s other works include the feature films The Rookie, The Alamo, and The Blind Side and episodes of the television series L.A. Doctors and Falcone. He has been a member of the DGA since 1999.

Pictures & Video

photos by Byron Gamarro - print courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

View slideshow

FULL TALK (30:20): Director John Lee Hancock talks about his new film, Saving Mr. Banks, with Moderator Bob Balaban after a screening at the DGA in New York.

FULL TALK (28:30): Director John Lee Hancock talks about his new film, Saving Mr. Banks, with Moderator D.J. Caruso

HIGHLIGHT: Director John Lee Hancock explains how he planned out the visual transitions in Saving Mr. Banks between the scenes in Australia in 1906 and Los Angeles in 1961.

HIGHLIGHT: Hancock discusses how he and Tom Hanks researched footage and recordings of Walt Disney to prepare for the film.

HIGHLIGHT: Hancock describes shooting a large portion of the film in a rehearsal room, and casting Actor and Musician Jason Schwartzman to portray Musicial and Lyricist Richard M. Sherman.

HIGHLIGHT: Hancock describes the honest portrayal of Walt Disney he fought for in Saving Mr. Banks.

HIGHLIGHT: Hancock describes shooting in Disneyland and how he made the park appear like it was 1961.

HIGHLIGHT: Hancock discusses his approach to finale of the film at the premiere of Mary Poppins, and how he worked with Emma Thompson on her climatic emotional moment.

Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in a scene from John Lee Hancock’s Saving Mr. Banks.
photo © 2013 - Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture

Director John Lee Hancock speaks about the making of Saving Mr. Banks following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director John Lee Hancock discusses the making of Saving Mr. Banks with Director D.J. Caruso (moderator) in Los Angeles.

Director D.J. Caruso (moderator) asks Director John Lee Hancock a question about the making of Saving Mr. Banks.

Members of the DGA Los Angeles audience chat with Director John Lee Hancock following the discussion.

Director John Lee Hancock meets some Mary Poppins fans following the DGA membership screening of Saving Mr. Banks in Los Angeles.

Calendar

8/7/2025 - 8/13/2025

John Lee Hancock: Saving Mr. Banks

Director Q&As in Los Angeles and New York

Pictures & Video

Saving Mr. Banks New York Q&A: Full Talk

Saving Mr. Banks Los Angeles Q&A: Full Talk

Saving Mr. Banks New York Q&A: Highlight 1

Saving Mr. Banks New York Q&A: Highlight 2

Saving Mr. Banks Los Angeles Q&A: Highlight 2

Saving Mr. Banks Los Angeles Q&A: Highlight 3

Saving Mr. Banks New York Q&A: Highlight 3

Saving Mr. Banks Los Angeles Q&A: Highlight 1

Calendar