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Meg Ryan talks onscreen reunion with Tom Hanks: 'I love him so much'

Ryan makes her directorial debut with "Ithaca," a film that briefly reunites her with her old co-star.
/ Source: TODAY

Meg Ryan's new movie "Ithaca" is set in the 1940s, but for some viewers it may feel like the '90s.

That's because Ryan, who makes her directorial debut with the film, has a brief onscreen reunion with her old rom-com co-star Tom Hanks.

YOU'VE GOT MAIL
YOU'VE GOT MAIL, Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, 1998Everett Collection

"He’s just so dear. He so did not have to do that," Ryan told Entertainment Weekly.

The duo first appeared onscreen together in "Joe Versus the Volcano" (1990).

JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO
JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, 1990Everett Collection

They went on to make hearts soar in two of the decade's best-loved romantic comedies, "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993) and "You've Got Mail" (1998).

Meg Ryan
Actress, director Meg Ryan attends her Lifetime Award Presentation and \"Ithaca\" screening during 18th Annual Savannah Film Festival Presented by SCAD at Trustees Theater on October 29, 2015 in Savannah, Georgia.Getty Images

Ryan, 54, told EW she was grateful to the "Sully" star for making time to film his small part in the film, a World War II drama that also stars her son Jack Quaid, 24, whose dad is Ryan's ex-husband, actor Dennis Quaid.

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"It took [Hanks] a day to [shoot his scene]. At the end of his time, he says to the crew, 'All right, gather ‘round. Listen, I know we’ve gotten to know each other very well over the last 10 hours together, but I just want to thank you for being here for my friend Meg,'" said the actress.

"It was such an act of friendship. I love him so much," she said.