Tom Hanks Says 'Thank God We Never Bothered Trying to Make' aForrest GumpSequel: 'Why Put a Hat on a Hat?'

Mar. 15, 2025

Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump in 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump’.Photo:Sunset Boulevard/Getty

Sunset Boulevard/Getty

Tom Hanksis content to letForrest Gumpstand on its own.

The two-time Academy Award winning actor has reteamed withForrest GumpcostarRobin Wrightand directorRobert Zemeckisfor thenew filmHere. But while both Wright and Hanks told theNew York Timesthis week that they have massive affection for the 1994 film, Hanks said he’s glad they never tried to revisit his iconic character

“It is this extraordinary amalgam that stands completely on its own and never has to be repeated,” he said ofForrest Gump. “And thank God we never bothered trying to make another one. Why put a hat on a hat?”

Robin Wright and Tom Hanks in 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump’.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Despite Hanks’ words, there apparently were at least a couple attempts to get a sequel off the ground.

The original film’s screenwriter Eric Roth reportedly worked on an adaptation ofGump & Co., but as he told/Filmin 2008, world events got in the way.

Tom Hanks in 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump’.Sunset Boulevard/Getty

“I turned in the script the night before 9/11,” Roth said. “And we sat down, Tom [Hanks] and Bob [Zemeckis] and I, looked at each other and said, we don’t think this is relevant anymore. The world had changed. Now time has obviously passed, but maybe some things should just be one thing and left as they are.”

In 2007, however,Cinema Blendreported that the 1994 film’s producers Steve Tisch and Wendy Finerman were interested in reviving the sequel.

But as recently as 2022, Hanks suggested a second film wasn’t in the cards.

“We did take a stab at talking about anotherForrest Gumpthat lasted all of 40 minutes,” he said in an interview on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast. “And then we never… we said, ‘Guys, come on.’ ”

Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Robert Zemeckis in October 2024.VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Still, Hanks told theTimesthis week that he appreciates the original film’s place in people’s lives.

“I still get letters all the time saying, every year the family gets together, we do what we did back in 1995, when it first came out on home video. We all watch it, from beginning to end,” he said. “Right now, someone is watching that movie from beginning to end somewhere in the world. And it’s landing with that same sense of comfort and familiarity.”

source: people.com