Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks is a film that hides many secrets. Check out the most unusual trivia and behind-the-scenes stories of its iconic scenes that few people have heard of!
Running, or Tom Hanks's Brother in Action
The running scenes are Forrest’s trademark. Few people know that it was not Tom Hanks but his younger brother Jim who ran in them! Tom Hanks did not enjoy running, so in the dynamic shots he was replaced by Jimmy Hanks, who captured the character perfectly.
Forrest's Run: Inspiration from Real Life
The running theme was no accident. The director drew inspiration from the story of 16-year-old Louis Figueroa, who ran across the USA for a dying friend. Forrest’s authentic words, “one foot in front of the other,” come precisely from this teenager’s account.
Tom Hanks Was Not the First Choice
Before Tom Hanks was cast, the role of Forrest was offered to John Travolta. Bill Murray and Chevy Chase were also among the candidates. Hanks chose this role over appearing in “The Shawshank Redemption.”
Behind the Scenes: The Studio Did Not Want the Iconic Sequence
Paramount Pictures considered the legendary running scenes unnecessary and expensive. Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis financed them with their own money, in exchange for a percentage of the film’s profits. As a result, Hanks earned as much as 65 million dollars, which came as a shock to the producers.
The Iconic “Smiley” and the Phrase “Shit Happens”
During the run, Forrest Gump accidentally creates the smiley-face emoticon and utters the famous phrase “Have a nice day.” The slogan “shit happens” also comes from the film and is still associated with American pop culture today.
Locations and Inspirations
The film was shot mainly in Beaufort and Edisto in South Carolina, and even the scenes set in Vietnam were filmed in local outdoor locations. The bridge over which Forrest ran has become a tourist attraction.
List of the Most Unusual Facts
- The running scenes in the film were performed by Tom Hanks’s brother, Jim
- The inspiration for the running came from the story of a teenager from New Jersey
- John Travolta almost became Forrest Gump
- The studio almost cut the iconic running sequence, but Hanks and Zemeckis saved it
- The famous “Have a nice day” and the smiley were created by chance during filming
- President Lyndon B. Johnson wanted to see Forrest’s “shot behind” in the film, a scene that was improvised
- Tom Hanks had to master table tennis to convincingly play a champion
- The film contained inaccuracies, such as a Canadian flag at a ceremony in the USA
- In one shot, Tom Hanks really had his eyes closed in all of the photos of Forrest
- Filming locations from the movie are now popular tourist attractions
Forrest Gump in Pop Culture: Why It's Worth Revisiting
The film still inspires today. Forrest’s character teaches that anyone can influence history, unknowingly change the world and bring people together. Even simple gestures, like running or the phrase “Have a nice day,” can become legendary.
Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks holds not only a moving story but also unusual secrets from the set. If you think you know this film inside out, these facts may still surprise you!
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