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I really still cant believe that happened, Hanks says of the talented ensemble.
Its a great example of It doesnt hurt to ask.
Im pretty sure I just had a gigantic smile on my face the entire time.
It was criminal that they were no longer doing that.
I was just really hoping that the show-business gods would shine down and let me do it.
You had already spent some time in Orange County during your college years.
I understood the constrictions of that and someone wanting to get out and break free.
And then being raised in Northern California, I also knew what that vibe was like.
So, although the circumstances are completely different, something about it felt very accessible to me.
And, honestly, I think its one of the reasons why the movie still sticks with people.
You mentioned the film being somewhat based on Mikes life.
I dont remember him being around set that much because the script was so damn good.
Dialogue-wise, character-wise, plot-wise, there really wasnt anything that changed.
At that stage, Mike was already Mike White; he was an incredibly talented writer.
Thats a hard comedy act to beat.
In the moment, were you shocked to realize that this was the core four?Totally.
Looking back on it now, its even crazier.
But I just remember laughing.
And he was just such a nice guy and super funny.
It was kind of hilarious, just the irony of that.
I love John; hes such a sweet man.
And still, the film manages to get in and out at a running time of 82 minutes.
It needs to move fast, and be light and funny.
Did you do that just for the meta of it all?I had to!
And he goes, Yep!
Sure, Ill do two Orange County things.
Im still waiting for the third.
I never really thought more about him getting to Stanford.
I dont know, maybe thats his glory days, and its all downhill from there.
I had never been to Stanford until my younger brother, Truman, graduated from there.
Oh, okay, this is nice.
I definitely didnt have the grades to get in.
But I dont know where Shaun wouldve gone afterwards.
I think its safe to say being a starving writer was definitely a chapter in his life.
As a writer, it did pain me to rewatch the scene in which Lithgow takes down writers.
At least it was a rant written by one of the best there is.[Laughs.]
It shows how good Lithgow is that I can still hear him say, A writer!?
Exclamation point, question mark.
Twenty-one years later, its still in my head.
Any final words onOrange County?Honestly, I dont really know where it lands for other people.
But Im just happy that its still in the mix, somehow, some way.
I am ready and willing and I can also do craft service.
