Tom Hanks' Unofficial 4th Band of Brothers Project Explained

Following the release of Band of Brothers, two companion series have been released, but there’s also another WW2 title involving Tom Hanks that could be considered a fourth project. Hanks’ 2001 series, which was co-created with Steven Spielberg, is considered one of the best TV shows of all time. Though it ran as a miniseries, HBO was understandably open to a follow-up series.

In 2010, the Band of Brothers‘ companion show, The Pacific, was released on HBO, with Hanks and Spielberg serving as executive producers. It wasn’t considered a masterpiece like Band of Brothers, but it was still critically acclaimed for its focus on Marines in the Pacific Theater during WW2. 14 Years later, the next companion series released on Apple TV, with Masters of the Air, a nine-episode miniseries about the 100th Bomb Group.

Like the case with The Pacific, Tom Hanks remained as an executive producer for Masters of the Air. However, before the second WW2 companion show aired on the Apple streaming service, another war drama starring Hanks was released on the streamer. While it wasn’t directly linked to Band of Brothers or the companion titles, there is an interesting connection.

Greyhound Can Be Considered The 4th Band Of Brothers Project

While there have only been three shows that make up Tom Hanks’ WW2 TV universe, there’s technically a fourth project that could be considered a Band of Brothers companion project. Before the release of Masters of the Air in 2024, Apple TV released Greyhound, a WW2 film starring Hanks as a US Navy Commander during the Battle of the Atlantic. Greyhound didn’t involve Steven Spielberg, unlike the three WW2 shows, but Hanks did write the movie’s screenplay.

The US Navy was incorporated into The Pacific, however, it remains the only major military branch without a Band of Brothers-esque series. The original Band of Brothers followed the Army’s “Easy” Company, The Pacific primarily focused on the Marine Corps, and Masters of the Air put the Air Force at the forefront. There have been questions about whether another companion show will focus on the Navy, leading to an interesting answer from someone involved in Band of Brothers and its companion shows.

When asked about a possible WW2 series focused on the Navy, Gary Goetzman, who executive-produced all three shows, mentioned Greyhound in an interview with Den of Geek. He then added how Greyhound is “probably our Navy annex over there with Tom writing that,” meaning that the creative team behind the WW2 movie considers it a companion project to Band of Brothers, just like The Pacific and Masters of the Air.

Will There Be Another Official Band Of Brothers Companion Show After Masters Of The Air?

Greyhound was generally well-received and presented a thrilling look at the Navy’s attempt at defending against U-boats in one of the most dangerous areas in the Atlantic Ocean during WW2. That said, movies are limited with their storytelling, especially compared to the miniseries length of Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Masters of the Air. Therefore, it’s understandable if some are still hoping for another official companion show, especially one dedicated to the Navy.

As of now, there are no confirmed Band of Brothers shows in the works following the release of Masters of the Air. Granted, that can quickly change. Even if the Navy isn’t considered for a future Band of Brothers companion project, there are plenty of WW2 moments worthy of being the basis of a new series. Like the three shows, Greyhound was based on a historical novel, and there’s no shortage of interesting source material that can inspire a show or another movie.

With that said, Greyhound is getting a sequel, with Tom Hanks set to reprise his role as Commander Ernie Krause while focusing on the same Navy unit, with a heavy focus on D-Day and the Pacific Theater. Filming is slated for early 2026, so the movie still doesn’t have an official release date. Without any more Band of Brothers shows in the works, Greyhound will once again serve as an adjacent project thanks to the sequel movie.

Source: Den of Geek

Release Date: 2001 – 2001
Network: HBO
Directors: David Frankel, David Nutter, Mikael Salomon, Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Tom Hanks
Writers: Bruce C. McKenna, Graham Yost, John Orloff