Any issues with the veracity of its argument notwithstanding, one is hard-pressed to imagine anybody would ever make a “JFK assassination movie” (not that this is a subgenre) which supersedes the work of Oliver Stone. If, for some reason, you’ve never actually seen JFK, I can only advise this error be corrected; it’s pure magic.

Stone‘s picture is only worth mentioning because comparisons and further discussion will arise in a few years’ time, when Playtone eventually release Parkland. Variety reports on the project, a new effort from Tom Hanks‘ production company that will cover both the lead-up to and aftermath of November 22nd, 1963, with writer-director Peter Landesman‘s film focusing on a large group of players; the primary group is said to be “an FBI agent, a young doctor, a reporter, several Secret Service agents, Kennedy’s staff, Oswald‘s older brother, Jackie Kennedy and [assassination recorder, Abraham] Zapruder.”

Through them, Parkland — context: this title is taken from the hospital in which Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald, and Jack Ruby all died — will be able to focus on how the 35th President’s assassination affected an entire spectrum of people, from the personal to the professional, with a little bit of both arising in some instances.

I’ll be upfront here: I’m like a shark to fresh meat when you talk about anything regarding the JFK assassination. To go into great depth here would just be wasting everyone’s time — probably because it would take so long and make me sound weird — so I’ll just say that, from my point-of-view, it’s one of the most fascinating stories in all of American history. Given all its loose ends, levels of intrigue, and unbelievable possibilities, the thing’s also a goldmine for Hollywood.

Granted, Parkland is evidently aiming for something that speaks more to the individual than whatever might have been happening behind closed doors — seriously, some of the things that may-or-may-not-have happened there are bizarre — thoughalmost anything that reignites talk of this event is fine by me. Even better that it appears to have some dramatic potential.

What are some first impressions of Parkland? Are you also fascinated by this story?