Key Takeaways:
– Tom Hanks’s brother, Jim Hanks, worked as his body double in Forrest Gump.
– The iconic running scenes in the film almost didn’t get filmed due to budget constraints.
– Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis contributed personal funds to make the scenes possible.
– Despite initial hesitations, Forrest Gump emerged as a critical and commercial hit.
The renowned 1994 American movie Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, still resounds warmly in cinema history. However, it might surprise many to learn that Tom Hanks’s brother, Jim Hanks, acted as a body double for some scenes, including the iconic running shot.
‘Forrest Gump’ – A Family Effort
The role of Forrest, a man with a low IQ playing a significant part in major US events, was challenging. Helping Hanks’s portrayal was his lesser-known brother, Jim Hanks. The older Hanks sibling has three siblings: Jim Hanks, Larry Hanks, and Sandra Hanks Benoiton. Jim Hanks, also an actor, has collaborated on numerous projects with his more famous brother.
During Forrest Gump’s filming, Jim Hanks stepped in as his brother’s double for the principal star’s running scenes. The decision was necessitated by other doubles’ inability to replicate Tom Hanks’s distinctive running style. Jim Hanks, who had also played a major role in the 1993 comedy Buford’s Beach Bunnies, seemed perfect for the task.
Financing the Iconic Running Scenes
Forrest Gump narrates a poignant story of love, friendship, and the human spirit, all set against major American historical events. Such a grand narrative required diverse sets, a large cast, and cutting-edge special effects. However, one of the film’s most iconic elements – the running scenes – almost didn’t come to be due to budgetary constraints.
Paramount Pictures, the distribution company, was initially hesitant to fund these scenes, suggesting they be cut entirely to meet the filming schedule’s deadline and manage the budget.
Hanks and Zemeckis Stand Their Ground
But Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis refused to yield. They believed passionately in the sequence’s importance to the film’s overall story and aesthetic. They were so committed that they financed the scene themselves when Paramount refused to fund the filming featuring Jim Hanks as Tom Hanks’s double.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Tom Hanks revealed that he and Zemeckis funded the scene when the studio declined, saying, “We can’t afford it; you’re not going to do it.” Hanks and Zemeckis stood their ground, met the cost themselves and ensured the scene’s inclusion. Their commitment demonstrates how powerful a vision can be and how sacrificing for your beliefs can lead to immense success.
Forrest Gump – A Timeless Masterpiece
Thanks to the unyielding conviction of Hanks and Zemeckis, Forrest Gump turned out to be a cinematic masterpiece. Despite the initial studio hesitations, the film grossed an impressive $679 million, securing six Oscars in the process, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Tom Hanks, according to The Numbers.
Forrest Gump remains an influential part of American cinema, demonstrating the length to which filmmakers are prepared to go to bring their visions to reality. The classic movie is available for streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, and Paramount+ for newer generations to appreciate the dedication behind every running scene. Trace Tom Hanks’s journey and enjoy this slice of American cinema that, despite hurdles, has raced its way into millions of hearts worldwide.
