After having Tom Hanks attached to the project for almost a year and a date already set, we’re finally getting more casting on Paul Greengrass‘ Captain Phillips. According to Variety, Catherine Keener has signed onto play Hanks‘ wife in the true-life inspired rescue story.

Hanks is set to play real-life pilot Richard Phillips, who “allowed himself to be taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009 in order to guarantee the safety of his crew.” Keener will play Andrea Phillips, who remained strong and admirable throughout the entire hostage situation. The Social Network‘s powerhouse team of Scott Rudin, Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and Kevin Spacey are producing the project, with Billy Ray (The Hunger Games, Flightplan) writing the script.

Keener has definitely kept busy over the recent years as she’ll be seen next in A Late Quartet with Phillip Seymour Hoffman, as well as Maladies. Keener is an actress that can mold into any genre, so I’m assuming a drama like Phillips shouldn’t be a problem for the vet — she’s also reforming her collaboration with Charlie Kaufman for his upcoming musical project Frank or Francis. For two actors that started in Hollywood at roughly the same time, I’m surprised that Keener and Hanks haven’t starred in a film together previous to this. 

Captain Phillips will hit theaters March 22nd, 2013.

Does this casting news intrigue you to go see Captain Phillips?