Hanks will star in the Da Vinci Code later this year

He joins fellow Oscar-winners Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman as well as ex-Friends actress Jennifer Aniston.

The 49-year-old actor has appeared in more than 50 films, winning best actor awards for his roles in Philadelphia in 1993 and 1994's Forrest Gump.

Academy Award nominations are due to be announced in Los Angeles on 31 January, the ceremony following on 5 March.

Hanks will star in the Da Vinci Code later this year.

The adaptation of Dan Brown's best-selling novel will also feature British actors Sir Ian McKellen and Alfred Molina.

As well as winning two Oscars, Hanks has also been nominated for his leading roles in films such as 1988's Big, the 1998 war drama Saving Private Ryan and Cast Away.