“I must have read the wrong script”: Dave Chappelle Regretted Refusing Tom Hanks Movie After Calling it Too Racist at First
Tom Hanks, the legendary actor in Hollywood, has an extraordinary talent for selecting scripts that have achieved tremendous success both commercially and critically. His discerning eye and instinct for captivating storytelling have resulted in a string of blockbuster hits and timeless masterpieces. Hanks seems to possess a golden touch, effortlessly transforming scripts into cinematic gems that captivate audiences and stand the test of time. His remarkable career is a testament to his unparalleled ability to choose projects that resonate with viewers on a profound level, making him an irreplaceable icon in the film industry.
Over the past four decades, Tom Hanks has undeniably captured the hearts of movie enthusiasts from all walks of life. His movies resonate with a wide audience, transcending personal preferences and affiliations. Any actor would consider it a dream come true to work alongside America’s beloved middle-aged sweetheart. However, surprisingly, some equally or more renowned stars had to decline this golden opportunity, keeping their reasons private.
Why Dave Chappelle Turned Down Tom Hanks’s Forrest Gump?
While pursuing a career in stand-up comedy, Dave Chappelle, who was only in his early twenties then, got roles in famous movies from the 1990s like Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Undercover Blues, and The Nutty Professor. He later became a big name in comedy and had his own successful show called Chappelle’s Show on Comedy Central.
When Tom Hanks was ready to follow up his dramatic turn in Philadelphia with the American history epic Forrest Gump, Dave Chappelle was on the very short list of actors that producers wanted to play the title character’s best friend, Benjamin Buford Bubba Blue, a man even more kind-hearted and less intelligent than Hanks’ title character. They meet while fighting in the Vietnam War, and after Bubba’s death in combat, Forrest goes on to start a shrimping company in his honor.
The comedian, on the other hand, declined the lead role because he was offended that a black man was portrayed as dumb and difficult to learn. Mykleti Williamson, who was virtually unknown prior to landing the role, was eventually cast.
“They tried to get me in ‘Forrest Gump,” Chappelle joked during a stand-up performance. “I must have misread the script. This script stunk when I read it,” he said, implying that he was offended by the idea of playing a Black character who was painted as wildly dumb.
Also Read: 5 Weird BTS Stories From The Sets Of Forrest Gump
Dave Chappelle Later Regretted Not Taking The Role in Forrest Gump
Dave Chappelle later felt remorseful for not accepting the role in Forrest Gump due to its immense critical acclaim and financial success. He rightly believes that being a part of such a successful and well-received film would have been a great opportunity for his career and could have brought him significant recognition and financial benefits. The regret stems from the realization that he missed out on being associated with a blockbuster film that became a cultural phenomenon.
Dave Chappelle never got the chance to star in Forrest Gump, but he created his own humorous version called Bowl of Pork in 1997. In this comedic short film, Chappelle portrayed Black Forrest Gump, a dim-witted Black character who unwittingly gets involved in significant events like the Rodney King beating, the L.A. riots, and O.J. Simpson’s murder case. Chappelle cleverly parodied Gump’s famous box of chocolate line, and in the end, his character gets into a comical scuffle with an elderly Black couple.
Source: Looper
