That Thing You Do! cast to reunite for virtual coronavirus fundraiser after Adam Schlesinger's death

The 1996 film marked Tom Hanks' directorial debut

The cast of That Thing You Do! are set to reunite for a virtual fundraiser to raise money for coronavirus support charities and pay tribute to the late songwriter Adam Schlesinger.

The 1996 musical comedy follows a fictional one-hit wonder band from the 1960s called The Wonders, with all four members of the Beatles-esque group coming together to raise money for the Grammys’ MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Steve Zahn, Johnathon Schaech, Tom Everett Scott and Ethan Embry will host a virtual watch party live on their YouTube channel on Saturday night (18 April) at midnight, according to Deadline. It will also serve as a tribute to Schlesinger.

The Fountain’s of Wayne musician, who wrote the film’s titular hit "That Thing You Do!", died on 1 April at the age of 52 after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

As well earning an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song in 1997 for creating the fictional hit, the songwriter was known in recent years for his work on Rachel Bloom’s musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Tom Hanks, who made his directorial debut with That Thing You Do!, paid tribute to Schlesinger on Twitter and attributed the success of his production company Playtone to him.

“He was a One-der. Lost him to Covid-19. Terribly sad today. Hanx,” the actor wrote.

“There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger, without his ‘That Thing You Do!’”