Tom Hanks to play Captain Phillips in Somali Pirates movie

Tom Hanks has been signed up to play the role of high-seas hero Captain Richard Phillips, who sacrificed himself to Somali pirates to save his cargo ship's crew.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the company that produced The Social Network will adapt Phillips' memoir A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, reports the Independent.

The story follows Phillips, who is rescued after three days being held hostage, when Navy SEALs release him from his captors. Screenwriter Billy Ray (State of Play) was said to be working on a script.