Aaron Eckhart thinks his 'Sully: Miracle on the Hudson' co-star Tom Hanks would make a great President of the United States.

Aaron Eckhart

Aaron Eckhart

The 48-year-old actor plays Jeff Skiles alongside Hanks as Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger in Clint Eastwood's new plane drama based on the real-life events of 15 January, 2009 which saw pilot Sully carry out an emergency landing of a passenger jet on the Hudson River following a double bird strike to the engines saving the lives of the 155 passengers and crew on board in the process.

Hanks has garnered much support to run for the top political job in 2020 following his recent speech at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which he gave being honoured for his life's work in film, during which he lambasted President-elect Donald Trump for making misogynistic and devise statements and also urged his fellow countrymen to pull together through what it is a turbulent time.

Now, Eckhart has thrown his support behind Hanks running for the White House because he witnessed the speech and was personally inspired by it and would have no hesitation in voting for Hanks to be President.

In an interview with Newsweek, 'The Dark Knight' star said: "I just heard Tom give a speech at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It was one of the best speeches [I've ever heard] ... the most affecting, emotional, rational speeches done with absolute mastery and clarity. Everybody after that speech was stunned. I would vote for Tom in a second. If our politicians could speak as well as Tom could...he should be a shoe-in. I think people would actually want Tom to run for president of the United States. They have confidence that he could do the job - and they have confidence that he could get elected."

Eckhart is also sure that Hanks - who has just received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest US civilian honour, from outgoing President Barack Obama - could cope with the scrutiny that comes with being a public servant because he is "tough".

However, the Golden Globe winner believes that it is the intense scrutiny and the electoral process that dissuades many competent people from getting involved in politics.

He said: "Tom's no joke either. He's tough in his own way. He's no wilting lily ... he could take the heat. But why would he want to do that? It's such a beatdown. Your family's going to take a beatdown too. I think that's why a lot of qualified people don't get in the race."

Tagged in