All aboardThe Polar Express. This2004 holiday classichas become essential festive viewing for generations of audiences. Funnily enough, something about a train that takes kids to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus gets us all in the holiday spirit. Plus, Tom Hanksplays almost every role. What’s not to love?
Fans of the original were no doubt thrilled when a prequel entitledThe Christmas Expresswas set for release on Max in December 2023. There is only one problem.The Christmas Expressdoes not exist. A viral poster featuring a new image of Tom Hanks' conductor character made the rounds on social media before it was revealed to be AI-generated. While this is disappointing for fans eager for another ride on the titular train, it does open an interesting possibility. The nonexistent prequel had a pretty solid plot outline; one that would easily work in a real film. So, could it? Would we ever see the origins of this train explored in a full-length movie? As for the greatest mystery of all, why does every character look and sound like Tom Hanks? It’s an interesting possibility, so let’s look at what we know.
The Original Polar Express
The Polar Express
Everyone knows the story ofThe Polar Express, but let’s go over a quick refresher. A young, nameless boy (identified only as “Hero Boy”) is selected for a ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express. As one does, he boards the enigmatic train without telling anyone he knows and meets several other kids and the conductor (Tom Hanks). Along the way, another child loses her ticket and the boy ends up on the roof of the train.
There he meets a ghostly figure (Tom Hanks) who guides him to the engine. The train almost derails and some more shenanigans follow before the group arrives at the North Pole. Next, the boy receives a bellfrom Santa Claus(Tom Hanks), but loses it as they board the train to head home. He receives the same bell gift wrapped under the tree the next morning, even though his mom and dad (Tom Hanks) cannot hear it ring. Looking back years later, the now adult boy (Tom Hanks) still hears the bell ring as he truly believes in what he experienced.
The Polar Expressremains a classic, even if it is a product of its time. Groundbreaking at its release, the motion capture animation now seems more in the uncanny valley realm than a triumph of CGI. Still, it’s beloved by millions, so a prequel should be a proven hit. If only it existed.
The Potential Christmas Express Plot
So what would we have seen in the hypotheticalThe Christmas Express? It was reportedly set to center on the origins of the train that first appears out of nowhere in the boy’s yard. Whoever or whatever designed the AI poster really committed themselves to the gag, with a full plot synopsis and everything. It reads,
“Get ready for a heartwarming holiday adventure inThe Christmas Expressstarring Tom Hanks as Woodford Newton. When a fateful accident occurs during his town’s Christmas train ride, Woodford is chosen by an angel to become the Christmas Spirit, spreading joy and belief to children on the Polar Express. This enchanting prequel to the beloved classic promises to capture the magic of Christmas in a way only Tom Hanks can deliver. All aboard for a journey of wonder and cheer!”
If we didn’t already know the movie was fake, this sounds like a very believable plotline for a prequel. We would see the origins of Woodford Newton (implied to be the conductor) and how he first boarded that Christmas train. Since we knew almost nothing about the train before the boy and the other kids arrived, this could be the chance to dig into the lore and find out why that train appears outside our houses. Audiences felt the same way, as the fake poster was shared online more than 100,000 times.
Related:20 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
It’s easy to see why the post gained such traction. To the average viewer, the new poster looks legit. However, a closer look reveals some key hints that it’s fake. The obvious AI Tom Hanks, placement of the Warner Bros. logo, and lack of any cast, crew, or logline details all point to a hoax. This isn’t the first time that Hanks' likeness has been used in AIwithout his permission. It’s too bad it’s not real, as this idea has real potential to add a new chapter to the legacy of this iconic Christmas classic.
Will The Polar Express Ever Get a Sequel?
Currently, there is no sequel or prequel toThe Polar Expressin development. But could that ever change? 100,000 shares of the AI poster alone indicates there’s still plenty of audience love for this movie. Who wouldn’t want to see how it all began? If Warner Bros. recognizes the potential for a prequel with that audience demand, maybe this story could make its way to the big screen. A solid plotline is already in place, and Tom Hanks would likely be willing to reprise his multiple roles
Related:Best Holiday Movies to Watch on HBO Max
If a simple fake poster and premise got such buzz, just imagine what could happen with a full-length prequel. Maybe we could finally answer the question of how the Polar Express came to be, adding another chapter to this enduring holiday staple. There’s no major reason why it couldn’t work, so let’s get Tom Hanks on the phone and polish up that motion-capture tech.StreamThe Polar Expresson Hulu or Max.
Check out these Christmas movies with incredible casts that give Tom Hanks a run for his money:
