Tom Hanks has revealed that he wasn't originally cast in Steven Spielberg's 2002 film Catch Me If You Can, but instead persuaded the director to let him join after reading Jeff Nathanson's screenplay. The film, based on Frank Abagnale Jr's semi-autobiographical book, stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the real-life conman and became one of Hanks's most fondly remembered roles, making his account of how he secured the part a notable piece of behind-the-scenes film history.

Hanks explained that DiCaprio and Spielberg were already developing the project when he read the script and was drawn to the role of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, comparing the character's pursuit of Abagnale to Javert's chase of Valjean in Les Misérables. Rather than waiting for an offer, Hanks called Spielberg directly to pitch himself for the part, later admitting "I crashed that movie!" With DiCaprio's approval and Spielberg's agreement, Hanks was brought on board, shaping the film into the three-hander it ultimately became alongside Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.