John Travolta, Bill Murray and Chevy Chase Passed on Playing FORREST GUMP; Nicole Kidman Wouldn't Even Read For Jenny
Forrest Gump is one of the greatest movies ever made, in my opinion and the opinion of many other movie fans. It’s one of those films where the stars aligned, a great script was written, and Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks pulled out a performance that touched our hearts. The way they wove Forrest’s story into the fabric of American history was so unique and such an original idea for a fictional film. But as we’ve heard before, it could have been much different.
The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, who leading up to Forrest Gump had directed Romancing the Stone, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Death Becomes Her, as well as his most popular films to this day, the Back to the Future film trilogy, so it’s funny that so many people turned down a part in what would go on to become his biggest box office hit.
Zemeckis’ first choice for the role of Forrest was Oscar-nominee John Travolta (Grease, Pulp Fiction), who passed up the part to star in another classic film – Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino. Other actors who were up for the role include Bill Murray (Ghostbusters, What About Bob?) and Chevy Chase (Vacation, The Three Amigos!) . Both of those actors have their background in improvisational comedy. Seeing their take would have been interesting, but it was Hanks’ dramatic chops that helped ground the character.
Other major characters in the film were Forrest’s childhood sweetheart, Jenny, and his Vietnam war comrade and friend, Bubba.
Jenny was played by Emmy-nominated actress Robin Wright, but as with Hanks, she wasn’t the first pick. The studio offered the role to both Jodie Foster (The Silence of the Lambs, Panic Room) and Demi Moore (Ghost, G.I.Jane), who ultimately passed. They also expressed interest in Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!, Big Little Lies), but she wouldn’t even read for the part or do a screen test.
An all-star crew of actors also passed on the role of Bubba, including Tupac Shakur, David Alan Grier, Ice Cube, and Dave Chappelle. Mykelti Williamson landed the role, and his touching but understated performance as Bubba was another perfect component of the film.
I truly can’t imagine any of these other actors in the roles. I believe this movie is so good partly due to the magic of the cast. Do you think any of these other actors could have been as good in the starring roles?
via: CheatSheet