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‘Splash’ Star Jillian Bell Wants Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah to Join Her and Channing Tatum for Reboot

Ready to dive in! Jillian Bell, the star of the new Splash reboot, wants Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah to join the new movie.

“I would personally love if some of the old cast came back,” Bell, 32, exclusively told Us Weekly. “Tom and Daryl and I get on the phone twice a day because we’re really close friends,” she joked. “I don’t know them personally, but I would love them to be a part of it.”

Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah in 1984's 'Splash.'
Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah in 1984’s ‘Splash.’

Related: PHOTOS: Best and Worst Movie Remakes

As previously reported, Bell is remaking the 1984 favorite with Channing Tatum — but with a twist. This time, the Magic Mike hunk, 36, will play a merman. In the original, of course, Hanks’ character Allen fell in love with Madison (Hannah), a mermaid.

“I was a huge fan of it as a kid,” the Workaholics alum said. “I think it was a movie that every kid watched a million times and just totally fell in love with both of those characters and the idea of mermaids being real. That was something that was exciting for us and we thought that could be brought back around today.”

She added, “My favorite scene is where Daryl eats the lobster.”

Related: PHOTOS: Movie Makeovers: Memorable Drab to Fab Character Transformations

Jillian Bell and Channing Tatum
Jillian Bell and Channing Tatum

Bell and Tatum first met on 2014’s 22 Jump Street. The actors didn’t share the screen too often but knew that they wanted to work together again.

“He’s such a wonderful person besides being an amazing actor. He’s so funny and sweet,” Bell told Us. “I went and pitched a few things to him, and that came up and we just went with it. We thought it was such a fun idea and couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

Related: PHOTOS: Channing Tatum's Sexy, Shirtless Body

With that, the two moved ahead and pitched the project to Ron Howard, who directed the original Splash. He signed off on it and is now a producer on the film.

“[Howard] is the loveliest person on the planet and so warm and sweet. I mean it’s terrifying because you just don’t want to screw up, and you hope he thinks you’re cool. It blows my mind that Ron Howard even knows who I am,” Bell gushed. “I can’t believe it’s actually happening! I’m losing my mind over it a little bit.”

Bell previously appeared in Office Christmas Party, which is in theaters now. In honor of the holiday season, Bell told Us the do’s and don’ts she goes by when throwing her own parties.

“I’m a little biased, but I would say I’m the best host,” she teased. “My do’s would be to have an open house mentality especially because during the holidays my most favorite thing is to surround myself with all my family and friends. And making sure everyone has enough food to eat and drink. My don’ts would be not inviting an over-sharer.”

Another tip? Make sure to have a tasty go-to drink. For Bell, Kahlua and its new Chili Chocolate flavor was a fun choice. “I thought [it] sounded like a super dreamy combo of sweet and spicy,” she said. “We always make very festive cocktails. This year I’m going to try to do the Chili Chocolate Espresso Martini because I think that sounds really fancy.”

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