--- title: "Tom Hanks Says He Turned Down Jeff Bezos’ Offer to Go to Space" description: "Tom Hanks says he has no interest in going on a trip to space on a rocket made by Jeff Bezos' space company, Blue Origin." date: "2021-11-04" modified: "2021-11-04" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/tom-hanks-turned-down-jeff-bezos-space" categories: - "Future Society" - "Jeff Bezos" - "Off-World" - "Space" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "blue origin" - "jeff bezos" - "space tourism" - "tom hanks" --- # Tom Hanks Says He Turned Down Jeff Bezos’ Offer to Go to Space ![Tom Hanks says he has no interest in going on a trip to space on a rocket made by Jeff Bezos' space company, Blue Origin.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* Hollywood actor Tom Hanks declined an offer to go to space on board Jeff Bezos' suborbital rocket. "Well, yah, provided I'd pay," an incredulous Hank recalled in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, when late show host Jimmy Kimmel asked if the Blue Origin CEO offered him a ride. "You know, it costs like 28 million bucks or something like that." Even for an A-grade Hollywood actor, that's a lot of dough. "And I'm doing good, Jimmy, I'm doing good," he added. "But I ain't paying 28 \[million\] bucks." He then proceeded to mock the expensive trip, telling audiences that he could easily have the same experience while sitting on his couch at home, while flailing his arms and legs as if he was in zero gravity. The actor has starred in several famous movies that took place in space, most notably "Apollo 13." Earlier this year, veteran "Star Trek" actor William Shatner, known for playing the role of Captain Kirk, took the 12 minute joyride into the upper atmosphere on board a Blue Origin New Shepard spacecraft — and was [clearly shaken by the experience](). Hanks' interview is yet another instance of Blue Origin facing some considerable PR headwind. A string of [heinous revelations]() had already sent shockwaves through the private space industry, revealing some ugly truths about the inner workings of the space company. All told, Blue Origin has become something of an industry punching bag, with celebrities downplaying the 12 minute experience and writing it off as a way for billionaires to get face time on TV. Even Shatner's co-star George Takei [piled on recently](), mocking the 90-year-old's journey into the upper atmosphere. Then famed theoretical physicist Michio Kaku also [slammed]() Blue Origin during a [*Fox Business* interview]() last month, arguing that SpaceX is running circles — or completing orbits, if you will — around the competition. https://youtu.be/0mTXbsQ0OGE Hanks, [much like British royal family member Prince William](), has no interest in blasting off to an altitude of 62 miles — which, besides, is a [far cry from orbit.]() And especially at such an exorbitant price. Celebrities don't seem terribly drawn to the space-lite experience that Blue Origin is offering, especially considering that spending tens of millions of dollars to experience a couple of minutes of weightlessness just isn't exactly the best PR move right now. Humanity has some [much larger fish to fry]() back on Earth. And that could be bad news for private space tourism companies going forward. In fact, last month, space tourism company Space Adventures [had to cancel a flight]() organized under contract with SpaceX since they couldn't find enough rich people willing to buy a ticket. It's up to these companies now to right the ship and regain the trust of the public — or at least address the constant mockery — if they want any chance of becoming a mainstay of the future of tourism. **More on space tourism:** [*Bezos Mocked for Announcing “Mixed-Use Business Park” Space Station*]() ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()