Directed by Robert Zemeckis, 1994’s Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, is regarded as one of the best movies of all time. The movie follows a man living in Alabama and his experience in the 20th-century United States. Upon release, the movie received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, performances, music, and screenplay.
Winston Groom’s 1986 novel bases Forrest Gump, but there have been significant changes made for the movie. Hanks was highly appreciated for his performance, and he is to date recognized for his work on the movie. In a recent conversation, the actor revealed how Robert Zemeckis helped him snap back into reality while filming.
Tom Hanks recalls the time he thought he was getting fired from Forrest Gump
In a recent conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Tom Hanks was asked if he struggles with impostor syndrome, which he said that he does every second day of filming. He goes on to reveal that it’s because of this he was concerned when Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis wanted to talk to him on the second day.
Tom Hanks shared that it was the second day of filming Forrest Gump when the team said that the director Zemeckis wanted to speak to him. He recalled he was worried as it was the second day of the filming and explained,
It turned out that Bob came in, and we had a great conversation about “I see what you’re trying to do here. I know you’re nervous. There’s a lot of stuff happening. But he just said, “You’re pushing. You’re pushing too hard, and you can’t do that.
Hanks added that he asked the director Zemeckis if he got to come back the next day, and he smiled and said yes. Talking about one particular scene from the movie, Tom Hanks added that he was just asked to relax.
The actor recalled that the filmmaker realized that Hanks had an ego to understand what was at risk. Starring as Forrest Gump in the movie, the actor’s position in the industry cemented, and the movie became one of the best ones he had ever been a part of.
Tom Hanks is relieved for having no sequel to Forrest Gump
In a cover story for The New York Times, Tom Hanks revealed that he’s so relieved that Forrest Gump has not had a sequel. He said,
It’s this extraordinary amalgam that stands completely on its own and never has to be repeated. And thank God we never bothered trying to make one. Why put a hat on a hat?
Back in 2022, the actor had shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that they talked about another Forrest Gump movie, but it only lasted for 40 minutes when they called it off.
Tom Hanks also shared that he finds enjoyment in knowing that people still hold the movie very close to their hearts. He shared,
I still get letters all the time saying, Every year the family gets together, we do what we did back in 1995 when it first came out on home video. We all watch it from beginning to end.
Hanks noted that somewhere someone in the world is out there watching Forrest Gump from beginning to end, and is landing with the same sense of comfort and familiarity. He also added that he gets ‘Run Forrest’ all the time.
Forrest Gump is available to watch on stream on Paramount+.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Robert Zemeckis tell Tom Hanks he was ‘pushing too hard’ on Forrest Gump?
By Hanks’ own account on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he was nervous early on, and on the second day of filming Zemeckis pulled him aside. The director said he understood what Hanks was going for but told him he was pushing too hard and needed to relax rather than strain for the performance. When Hanks nervously asked whether he still got to come back the next day, Zemeckis smiled and said yes.
Who directed Forrest Gump and who starred in it?
Forrest Gump was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Tom Hanks in the title role. Released in 1994, the film is adapted from Winston Groom’s 1986 novel and follows one man’s journey through decades of 20th-century American history from his home in Alabama.
Was there ever a Forrest Gump sequel?
No sequel was made, and Tom Hanks has said he is relieved it stayed that way, describing the original as something that stands completely on its own. He has noted that sequel talks back in 2022 reportedly lasted only about 40 minutes before the idea was dropped. Forrest Gump is available to stream on Paramount+.
