Tom Hanks helped pay for a pivotal scene inForrest Gump, with the movie going on to greatly influence his career. With a filmography that already includedA League of Their Own,Big,Sleepless in Seattle, andPhiladelphia,Hanks was already a well-known and well-regarded actorbeforeForrest Gump’s 1994 release. The movie was still a significant moment in Hanks' career, though, earning him his third Academy Award nomination and his second win.
Hanks has since gone on to star in a number of other critically acclaimed movies, including Steven Spielberg’sSaving Private Ryan, Pixar’sToy Storyfranchise,Cast Away,Catch Me if you’re able to, andCaptain Phillips. As prolific as his career has been,Forrest Gumpstill remains one ofHank’s best moviesand most defining roles. When it comes to the enduring moments within the movie itself,Forrest’s running scene particularly stands out, not only because of what is presented onscreen, but due to the behind-the-scenes details that brought it to life.
Tom Hanks Helped Pay For Forrest Gump’s Running Scene (& Other Parts Of The Movie)
The Studio Wouldn’t Pay For It
WithoutHanks financially contributing toForrest Gump, the scene in which Forrest runs across the United States of America would never have come to fruition. The studio was unable to afford the scene, butForrest Gumpdirector Robert Zemeckis remained adamant that it could not be cut, as he deemed it too important to the story.After talking with Hanks, the actor and director each paid half of what it cost to keep the running sequencein the movie and also paid for the insurance on a later scene as well.
In return for the money that Hanks and Zemeckis contributed to the running scene and other parts ofForrest Gump, an agreement was made that they would earn a cut of the movie’s profits, with Hanks choosing this route over an upfront salary. This deal worked out well for Hanks, as according toEntertainment Weekly, he earned an estimated $60 million as a result of this agreement. More importantly,Hanks ensured that one of the best parts ofForrest Gumpremained in the finished movie.
The Running Sequence Is One Of The Most Important & Iconic Parts Of Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump Wouldn’t Be As Memorable Without It
Forrest Gump’s running sequence occurs after Jenny has left Forrest. While he may just say he felt like running, it is more important than that, as Forrest is using the run to deal with the heartbreak of Jenny leaving, along with the lingering pain of losing his mother and his good friend Bubba.Forrest is able to move forward by focusing on running for over three yearsand, regardless of whether he realizes it, he channels his emotions into that run, and it is only after this that he is ready to return home and move forward with his life.
Forrest Gumpis a story about how one man impacts countless lives on a personal level throughout pivotal moments in American history, with the running scene perfectly encapsulating that with some excellent humorous touches to truly make it work.
The running scene is also important because of how Forrest inspires others and makes them curious, even when he has no intention of doing so. He was just running for himself, but he unwittingly got others to follow him across the country, along with many individuals seeking his advice.Forrest Gumpis a story about how one man impacts countless lives on a personal level throughout pivotal moments in American history, with the running scene perfectly encapsulating that with some excellent humorous touches to truly make it work.
Tom Hanks Paying For Forrest Gump’s Running Scene Led To A 30-Year Partnership With Robert Zemeckis
Forrest Gump Is Now Only One Of Numerous Hanks & Zemeckis Collaborations
When Zemeckis approached Hanks about helping to pay for the running scene, he emphasized thathe was not viewing Hanks as his employee, but as his collaborator. This led to a successful partnership between Zemeckis and Hanks that went beyondForrest Gump. They first reunited forCast Away, which sees Hanks' character marooned on an uninhabited island where he must work to survive on his own, with no company but a Wilson volleyball he fittingly names Wilson. The role earned Hanks another Academy Award nomination.
Tom Hanks' only Academy Award nomination sinceCast Awaywas for Best Supporting Actor in 2019’sA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
A few years afterCast Away, Zemeckis and Hanks worked together onThe Polar Express, where Hanks played multiple roles via motion capture. Their next partnership did not happen for nearly two decades, with the actor and director eventually partnering on the live-action Disney+ adaptation ofPinocchio. Their fifth movie together,Here, also reunites them with Robin Wright, who played Jenny inForrest Gump, in a moving story that explores Hanks and Wright’s characters over many years.
30 Years Later, They Still Have Not Topped It
Despite doing multiple movies together sinceForrest Gump,Hanks and Zemeckis' first collaboration remains their best.Pinocchiowas critically panned and is widely considered to beDisney’s worst live-action remake, making it the actor and director’s weakest project yet. The motion capture inThe Polar Expressis dated, but it is still a pleasurable movie to watch around the winter holidays. When compared withForrest Gump, though, it pales in comparison.
1994
76%
95%
2000
89%
84%
2004
56%
64%
2022
28%
27%
Cast Awayis the strongest contender when it comes to Hanks and Zemeckis' best movie, and some critics do preferCast AwayoverForrest Gump. While the 1994 movie has its flaws,it is still Hanks and Zemeckis' best movie because of its effective blend of a deeply heartfelt and humorous storyset against the backdrop of 20th century American history.Cast Awayis not quite as engaging or moving asForrest Gumpproves to be.Herelooks promising and could potentially dethroneForrest Gump, but for now, Hanks and Zemeckis' first collaboration is still their best.
Forrest Gump
Cast
Forrest Gump is a drama film released in 1994, starring Tom Hanks as the titular character. The film explores the life of a man with a low IQ who inadvertently shapes several historical events, while his personal journey remains centered on his unrequited love for childhood friend Jenny.
