The Ladykillers is a comedy film starring Tom Hanks and other various actors and actresses . It was released in 2004 and was directed by the Coen brothers . The Ladykillers is a 2004 black comedy film directed , written and produced by the Coen brothers and stars Tom Hanks , with a supporting cast that includes J. K. Simmons , Marlon Wayans , Tzi Ma , Ryan Hurst and Irma P. Hall .