Steve's over at the American Film Market (AFM) and has been getting info on a variety of upcoming films.  We now have the first image and synopsis for Tom Hanks' Larry Crowne.  The movie is Hanks' first directorial feature since That Thing You Do.  He also stars in the film alongside Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Rami Malek, and Taraji P. Henson.  Hanks co-wrote the film with Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).

Hit the jump to check out the first image from the film along with a synopsis.  According to the synopsis, Larry Crowne is slated to open on August 12, 2011.  We previously reported that the film was set to open on July 1, 2011, which would have put it up against Transformers: Dark of the Moon.  We don't know if August 12, 2011 a new date or if it's a mistake. [Update: Universal has informed us that the release date is still July 1, 2011]

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Here's the synopsis for Larry Crowne:

When appealing everyman LARRY CROWNE (Tom Hanks) is inexplicably fired from his job as a big box store clerk, he realizes it's time for some meaningful change in his life.  Deeply in debt and without direction, he returns to college where he befriends a group of scooter-riding students and eventually develops a real affection for his beautiful speech class instructor, MERCEDES TAINOT (Julia Roberts).

Charming and smart, LARRY CROWNE reminds us of life's small surprises.  Sometimes clouds really do have a silver lining.  It's also about the power of new beginnings like the time Larry Crowne, an ordinary man with a gentle heart, was forced to downsize his world...and ended up expanding his life.

---