During a discussion about the film The Moonwalkers, Tom Hanks humorously suggested an unexpected topic—procreation on the Moon—catching the Artemis astronauts off guard. He quickly clarified that it was not a serious proposal and playfully mimicked a Mission Control scenario.
Joking about flight schedules and mood-setting music, he engaged the audience with his wit. Wrapping up his comedic bit, Hanks emphasized the importance of crew selection for such hypothetical missions, joking about compatibility tests akin to modern dating apps. The lighthearted moment was met with laughter, with astronaut Wiseman playfully dropping his mic in response.
An Immersive Journey Exploring Forgotten Stories of Lunar Exploration and Human Curiosity
The Moonwalkers is not just a film; it is an immersive experience that transports viewers into the world of lunar exploration. At Space Center Houston, the visuals extend beyond the theater’s massive screen, while in London’s 59 Studio Lightroom, the experience is a 360-degree spectacle.
Hanks was inspired by a previous production at Lightroom and saw its potential for bringing the Moon closer to audiences. His enthusiasm led to collaboration with space documentary filmmaker Chris Riley, shaping a project that aimed to go beyond the well-known Apollo 11 footage. Instead, they sought to uncover lesser-seen aspects of moon missions, igniting curiosity in viewers.
Tom Hanks Sparks Laughter with Moon Procreation Joke While Promoting The MoonwalkersHanks pointed out that many people remember Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s historic moonwalk but overlook subsequent missions. He noted how later Apollo missions, such as Charlie Duke’s, received significantly less television viewership. Determined to showcase moments that might still amaze audiences, Hanks and his team focused on uncovering unseen footage and unheard stories.
One such story involved Duke’s experience during an attempted “Moon Olympics,” where he lost balance and fell backward. Although he quickly recovered, Mission Control was displeased, leading to the abrupt end of their lunar games. This humorous yet insightful anecdote highlighted the challenges of moving in low gravity.
Curiosity and Inspiration Are the Driving Forces Behind Lunar Exploration and Discovery
Hanks emphasized that if there was one emotion he wanted audiences to take away from The Moonwalkers, it was curiosity. He pointed out that Houston, being a space hub, already had an engaged audience, but he hoped the film would inspire those less familiar with lunar exploration.
Quoting President John F. Kennedy’s famous speech, Hanks echoed the idea that the more humanity learns, the more it realizes how much is left to discover. This mindset, he argued, is what drives space exploration—continually pushing boundaries to uncover new knowledge about the Moon and beyond.
Astronaut Victor Glover shared a similar sentiment after watching the film. Reflecting on Kennedy’s words, he lamented that modern society no longer speaks with the same aspirational vision. However, he hoped that The Moonwalkers would remind people of their potential, emphasizing that lunar exploration is not just about gathering data but also about inspiring humanity.
Glover was particularly moved by the idea that future moonwalkers might see things no human has ever witnessed before. More than the discoveries themselves, he believed the real impact would come from sharing those experiences, influencing perspectives, and inspiring the next generation of explorers.
