“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind,” said Fred Rogers.

On January 28, TriStar Pictures officially announced that actor Tom Hanks will star as Mister Rogers in the new biopic, “You Are My Friend,” detailing the story of Rogers’ life.

Fred Rogers served as a friendly neighborhood figure for 33 years. He starred in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” a television program featuring lively puppets and a welcoming sense of companionship that shined both on and off screen.

Generations of children and their parents alike learned to love Mister Rogers. They grew up with his positive presence and were inspired by his gentle, most genuine persona.

However, instead of simply focusing in on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” this new film will actually portray the strong, friendly bond developed between Mister Rogers and Tom Junod, a journalist. In 1998, Junod conducted a profile interview with Rogers that apparently changed his life.

How so? Mister Rogers, during the interview, began questioning Junod about his childhood. He also made sure to talk to anyone that crossed his path, and even brought Junod to his apartment in New York City. (More details can be seen in the film!)

TriStar commented on the movie’s general plot: “In the heart-warming story, a cynical journalist begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed.”

Junod, now 59, added his personal opinion on the film. It’s very “well-timed, for this moment,” he said.

The cast will begin filming in the fall of 2018, and already so many fans are ecstatic for the movie’s release.

“Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person,” said Mister Rogers.