Tom Hanks remembers being pushed aside by Zemeckis in Forrest Gump because of his performance

Tom Hanks reflects on when he thought he might be fired Forest Gump. Hanks’ performance as the titular character received critical acclaim and earned him his second Oscar for Best Leading Actor. Forest Gump also marked the first of many collaborations for Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis, with the actor and director also working together on Castaway, The Polar ExpressDisney’s live-action remake of Pinocchioand Herethe last of which saw them reuniting with Robin Wright.

When speaking with Josh Horowitz on Happy Sad Confused podcast, Hanks Recalls Why He Thought Zemeckis Was Firing Him During Second Day of Filming Forest Gump. He discusses how he still struggles with imposter syndrome on the second day of shooting a new movie, especially knowing that actors are sometimes recast too early in the production process. That’s why he was worried when Zemeckis wanted to sit with him during the second day of filming. Forest Gump. Check out Hanks’ comments below:

The second day of filming Forest Gumpwe were in South Carolina and I was in my trailer and they said, “Hey, Bob’s going to stop by and talk to you.” And if Bob, the director, stops by and talks to you on the second day, it could mean anything. Bob happened to come 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 things going on.” But he just said, “You’re pushing. You’re pushing too hard and you can’t do it.” And I said, “I know exactly what you’re saying.” So I said, “Can I come back tomorrow?” He laughed and said, “Yes,” because he built this buffer zone, this scene that might or might not end up in it, and what I needed to do was relax and inhabit the clothes instead of selling them. Because of this, he invested in me the utmost faith that I would withstand the correction, that I would have the ego to understand what was at stake, and that I would trust him to guide me.

What this meant for Tom Hanks

It was the unlikely beginning of a lasting partnership

Despite his prolific career, Hanks may still feel imposter syndrome, as he did when Zemeckis met him early on. Forest Gumpis filming. These feelings have not disappeared despite its continued success and have continued to be felt since the beginning of the production process. However, because of his ability to accept and apply Zemeckis’s feedback, Forest Gump became one of Tom Hanks’ best films and helped develop a strong creative partnership that would last for decades.

Hanks’ talent and humility contributed to Zemeckis wanting to continue his collaborations with him, including work on Here. Castaway it was well-received and led to Hanks’ volleyball character Wilson becoming an enduring part of popular culture. Although not as acclaimed as Forest Gump or Castaway, The Polar Express has become a common favorite to watch before and during Christmas, and is another film that wouldn’t have happened without the work of Zemeckis and Hanks on Forest Gump.

He is reliable and impressive

Hanks’ comments are a refreshing reminder that even the most respected stars struggle with imposter syndrome, as evidenced by his anecdote during Forest Gumpis filming. He took this moment as an opportunity to grow as an actor, learning to “relax and live in the clothes”, which he did remarkably well. 30 years later, Forest Gump remains one of Hanks’ best performances, which came to fruition in part through his stressful encounter with Zemeckis on the second day of production.

Source: Happy Sad Confused