Oscar-Winning Actor Predicts Historic Lunar Milestones in Upcoming Experience

Tom Hanks has made an exciting prediction about space exploration, stating that within the next “three to four years,” the first woman and a non-white American man will set foot on the moon. The Oscar-winning actor shared this forecast ahead of the launch of his new immersive experience, The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks, at London’s Lightroom.

Hanks, 67, who narrates the experience, explained that this upcoming milestone in space exploration would be as significant for humanity as Neil Armstrong’s moon landing in 1969. The exhibit, which is co-written by Bafta-nominated Christopher Riley, brings the Apollo missions to life through Nasa’s footage and images from Andy Saunders’ photographic book Apollo Remastered.

Riley, a co-creator of the experience, emphasised the importance of promoting human spaceflight and exploration as a force for unity and positivity, especially in a world that often faces darker challenges. He highlighted how space exploration has historically brought out the best in humanity, offering a beacon of hope.

Hanks also reflected on his time at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Texas, where he viewed lunar rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott. He noted that these rocks provide physical evidence of water on the moon, a discovery that could dramatically alter humanity’s understanding of space and the potential for future lunar missions.

The actor, who has long been involved in space-related projects, including his role as astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, expressed his deep fascination with space. He described how humankind’s journey from space theorists to actual space travellers is a remarkable evolution, and the exploration of space remains an enduring frontier filled with mysteries yet to be solved.

Co-directed by Nick Corrigan and Lysander Ashton of 59 Productions, The Moonwalkers experience also features an original orchestral score by Canadian composer Anne Nikitin. Hanks, who has been a passionate advocate for space exploration throughout his career, previously produced the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon and co-wrote the Imax film Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D.

The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks opens on Wednesday at the Lightroom in King’s Cross, offering visitors an immersive experience that celebrates the history and future of human space exploration.