Forrest Gump, helmed by Robert Zemeckis, became an instant hit in 1994, even though Hollywood insiders had doubts about its chances of success. The endearing portrayal of Forrest by Tom Hanks will commemorate its 30th anniversary next month.
Imagine if you had the flu and had to endure the demanding schedule of a movie set. That’s precisely the grit Hanks displayed, once sharing an intimate behind-the-scenes anecdote about how he soldiered through iconic scenes with sickness. Despite struggling with flu, the acclaimed actor, 67, remained true to his enigmatic character & his admirable professional motto, “show up, and be on time”.
Interestingly, not everyone was charmed by Forrest Gump’s story, including Taylor Sheridan. The co-creator of Yellowstone communicated his unfiltered critique & expressed contempt for Paramount Pictures’ flick.
Forrest Gump: The Grueling Journey Behind Tom Hanks’ Oscar-Winning Performance
Tom Hanks is a household name in Tinseltown, linked to ageless masterpieces and endearing roles that have held the attention of viewers for many years. The actor has repeatedly shown that he is a formidable presence in the entertainment business, from his breakthrough performance in Splash (1984) to his Oscar-winning roles in flicks like Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
However, even someone as beloved and esteemed as Hanks has had his fair share of challenges during the production of the Robert Zemeckis-helmed flick. During the An Evening with Tom Hanks event at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, the actor shared a behind-the-scenes story from Forrest Gump (via Hello! Magazine).
Hanks revealed that he was actually sick with the flu during the filming of some of the movie’s most memorable scenes but pushed through to deliver an unforgettable performance:
Here’s a true story. When I was filming Forrest, I showed up one day and I had the flu. They told me, ‘Ahh that’s too bad you’ve got the flu, we’re sorry to hear that Tom. We’re sorry because you’ve got a whole lot of running to do today. Run, run, run, run, run’.
That was “tough”, he continued, adding his motto, which was:
Well, show up, and be on time.That’s my motto.
In addition to taking home six Academy Awards, the movie was a huge box office hit, grossing over $678.2 million worldwide during its theatrical run (Box Office Mojo). Despite Hanks’ dedication and hard work in Forrest Gump, not everyone was impressed with the film.
Taylor Sheridan has previously voiced his disapproval of the movie.
Tom Hanks’ Iconic Role in Forrest Gump Under Scrutiny by Taylor Sheridan
It is indisputable that Taylor Sheridan is one of the most significant directors in the film business. His neo-Western drama series, Yellowstone, and its many spinoffs, including 1883 and 1923, have received great reviews from a large viewership.
As a result, he is entitled to strong feelings regarding the movies he sees, and one Tom Hanks movie in particular really bothers him. In a rare The Joe Rogan Experience interview, Sheridan talked at length about how much he disliked Forrest Gump. In his words:
For me, the holy grail as a storyteller is to entertain, educate, and enlighten. Don’t give anybody answers, just lots of questions to think about – that’s my job.
So what made the Sons of Anarchy actor have such harsh feelings for Hanks’ Oscar-winning film? The former explained the reason, saying:
Because I can’t stand to pay money and have somebody preach to me their ideas. That’s the reason I hated Forrest Gump. This doddering f*cking idiot is the only guy that can figure out the world? He’s just gonna go on a f*cking run across America and everyone’s gonna follow him and that’s gonna heal the country?
According to Joe Rogan, the film’s idea was extremely “novel” when it was first released. Ironically, Sheridan retaliated, pointing out that if that movie were to be made now, the way Forrest’s character was portrayed would make “someone be too offended”.
While opinions on Forrest Gump may be divided, there’s no disputing the impact that the film has had on audiences around the world. Even though the film did not resonate with everyone, Hanks’ dedication to the role & ability to bring the character to life despite being sick with the flu was admirable.
Stream Forrest Gump on FuboTV.
