Forrest GumpOriginally Had an Unexpected Supporting Character: Curious George

Mar. 15, 2025

Tom Hanks in 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump’ (left); Curious George (right).

Forrest Gumpcould have looked a lot different.

Speaking toEntertainment Weeklyin a video published Nov. 13,Forrest GumpdirectorRobert Zemeckisand starsTom HanksandRobin Wrightopened up about the creation of the movie. “I remember that first draft that Eric Roth wrote onGump, it was like 179 pages — Eric had all sorts of like angels flying up, and dreamscapes,” Hanks, 68, said.

A still from ‘Curious George’ on PBS.PBS Kids

PBS Kids

Wright, 58, asked if Curious George was cut because of rights issues, but Zemeckis and Hanks remembered that the character actually does appear multiple times in the movie. Forrest’s favorite book isCurious George, and he reads it to his son as an adult. There’s also a Curious George toy in a few scenes.

Zemeckis remembered how he got called in to directForrest Gump— and assumed it was in part because he was used to mixing animation and real people. “They said, ‘Get that guy who did [Who Framed] Roger Rabbit,’ " he said. “And I read the [Forrest Gump] script, and I said, ‘I love this, but that monkey’s gotta go.’ "

Forrest Gump, which also starred Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson and Sally Field, ultimately became a success, grossing more than $670 million at the box office and receiving 13 Oscar nominations. The movie won six of those awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Hanks and Best Director for Zemeckis.

Tom Hanks in 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump’.Phillip Caruso/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

The director also reunited with Hanks and Wright this year for their new movieHere.Hanks opened up to PEOPLE in Octoberabout what it meant to be back together. “Everybody was [saying], ‘Oh, what was it like, the reunion?’ " Hanks said. “You know what it was? It was like, ‘Hey, how you doing?’ "

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“We just picked up right where we left off,” theThat Thing You Dodirector continued. “I’m going to say we love each other because we’re so easy with each other. It was a luxury to be able to come in and get the same conversations we’ve been having for the last 30 years after a moment of, ‘Hey, this kooky look, do you believe this? Can you believe this? Look at this, look at this.’ "

Hanks also worked with Zemeckis on 2004’sThe Polar Expressand 2022’sPinocchio,while Wright appeared in his 2007 filmBeowulf.

source: people.com