Tom Hanks Meets His Nemesis: 'Dead Eyes' Podcaster Connor Ratliff

LOS ANGELES, CA — "It's just a human moment, that's all it is," actor and comedian Connor Ratliff tells "Dead Eyes" podcast guest Tom Hanks at the start of much awaited interview.

The pair, at last, met face to face to discuss a pivotal moment in Ratliff's eyes: to learn why Tom Hanks fired him from the 2001 HBO mini-series, "Band of Brothers, according to his podcast website. That question has haunted him for over two decades. This week, all questions will be answered.

Ratliff told Vanity Fair that even though he spends all of his time dissecting life's most bitter and life-changing moments on his podcast, he's still a pretty positive guy.

This week, Hanks joins Ratliff to discuss why he released him and finally answering his question: Does he really have dead eyes?

"Do you want to punch me or kiss me?" Hanks asked his host at the beginning of the podcast, shared in part on Vanity Fair.com.

Hanks learned about the podcast from his kids, and after his people talked to Ratliff's people, the pair were matched up for the ultimate sitdown. Upon learning he was the reason for setting Ratliff's career in a different direction Hanks said he was "aghast."

Hanks felt he owed it to Ratliff to offer the chance to fully explore this defining moment.

Did he remember the firing? Did Tom Hanks think Ratliff had "dead eyes?" Or was it just a snap decision made under pressure while directing a "Band of Brothers" episode? The podcast releases on March 10 and will tell the whole tale.

Ratliff told Vanity Fair in an in-depth interview that he hoped Hanks remembered the conversation. But if he didn't? That was alright, too.

Ratliff told Vanity Fair that the interview with Hanks was "completely satisfying" though it was "not what he expected." That is often the way of podcast conversations.

For 30 episodes, Ratliff has interviewed celebrities like Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow, Jon Hamm and others who talk about their perils and pitfalls on the way to stardom. None of them are bitter, and all find humor in dark places.

Ratliff has since starred in the Amazon award-winning hit "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," according to a report on Deadline.com His podcast, produced by Headgum, has aired over 30 episodes in three seasons.

According to Amir Blumenfeld and Jake Hurwitz, Headgum founders, the podcast is a "beautiful exploration of disappointment, rejection, and ultimately taking those feelings and turning them into something funny."

Fans of the show were a bit disappointed that Ratliff reached Hanks so quickly, with at least one commenter of the Deadline.com report say they found the themes "entertaining and comforting."

Will he keep the podcast going after his own disappointment has been thoroughly examined?

Perhaps Ratliff will answer that question in a much-anticipated 4th season of the "Dead Eyes Podcast."