Somalis Sought In Mpls. For Tom Hanks Movie

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Sony Pictures is seeking Somalis in Minneapolis to appear in a new Tom Hanks movie, "Capt. Phillips."

Auditions will be held Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Brian Coyle Center. The casting call is for black actors or non-actors, preferably born in Africa.

The roles are for men ages 15 to 45, women ages 20 to 30, and boys ages 7 to 10. Those auditioning should bring a current photo, if available. Photos will not be returned.

Hanks is slated to play the lead of Richard Phillips, a cargo ship captain held hostage by Somali pirates for several days in 2009. Phillips eventually was rescued when a Navy sharpshooter picked off three of the pirates.

Minneapolis was chosen for auditions because of its large Somali population.

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