Actors Who Turned Down Roles in Forrest Gump (And Regret It)

If you’ve seen Forrest Gump, you know what an incredible epic move it is. It stands up as one of the finest films of the 1990s and perhaps in history. And a huge part of what makes it so incredible is the acting of its stars.
▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Chevy Chase
02:27 - John Travolta
04:35 - Ice Cube, Dave Chapelle, and David Allan Grier
06:30 - Jodie Foster, Demi Moore, and Nicole Kidman
07:45 - Kevin Bacon
08:16 - Outro
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The film starred Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, Mykelti Williamson as Bubba, Robin Wright as Jenny, and Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan. But did you know that all these roles were almost played by a different set of actors? It might be surprising to hear, considering how much we associate these actors with those incredible roles. It’s especially crazy considering what amazing performances they gave, and all the accolades and acclaim that they received for their Forrest Gump roles. But, like most movies in Hollywood, Forrest Gump had to go through a tumultuous casting process before it found its primary leads. And that process is often filled with offers that go out to various stars who then turn the movie down. And that’s exactly what happened in the case of all the lead roles in Forrest Gump. In this video, we take a look at a variety of stars (and some relatively young, unknown actors) who were offered the key roles in Forrest Gump, but for one reason or another, turned it down.
We’ll also look at whether or not these actors now regret that decision. Of course, hindsight is 20-20, so it’s easy to imagine that at least some of these actors eventually saw the amazing finished product and regretting not taking the role. And at the same time, there are a few who were busy making other legendary movies. So they aren’t all that sad that they turned down their Forrest Gump offer. Still, it would probably have been cool to get to say, “Life is like a box of chocolates…”
Actors Who Turned Down Roles in Forrest Gump (And Regret It)

[@FactsVerse]

*Are you a Forrest Gump fan? Check out our playlist dedicated to this iconic film: **kzbin.info/aero/PLkXAntdjbcSJWiaa5fE2ilZOfXmhcRARN*

[@MrGruffteddybear]

I can’t imagine anyone other than Tom Hanks playing Forrest Gump.

[@harperstacey9604]

I think Dustin Hoffman would make a great Forrest Gump. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@FactsVerse]

Us too! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Be safe and have a great day 💕

No body else could have been as great as Tom Hanks

[@jauharvey3534]

If someone else played Forest Gump, Forest Gump may not be as iconic as the Forest Gump we have today

[@Gencturk92]

@@jauharvey3534 no what makes forrest gump a good film is the story, it doesn't matter who played it. john travolta would have still played the same

[@lupat5630]

Robin Wright was the most talented and beautiful actress suitable for the role of Jenny! And the same thing goes for Gary Sinise for Lt. Dan! Amazing stars!

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@leesashriber5097]

No one could be better than Thomas Hanks. One of the best movies ever made. 😊 I can't imagine any other cast.

[@FactsVerse]

Absolutely, we feel the same way! Thank you for sharing your sentiments and for watching our content. What other types of video would you like to see on our channel?

[@relax2dream164]

I loved Gary Sinise as lieutenant Dan but think Kevin Bacon would have been really good too. Wouldn’t switch them out though. The rest of the cast were just perfect imho.

[@jzwalz51robin45]

The cast chosen is perfect, everyone mentioned would have changed the entire film, not necessarily for the better

[@FactsVerse]

Absolutely, we feel the same way! Thank you for sharing your sentiments and for watching our content. What other types of video would you like to see on our channel?

[@od1452]

I always admired Williamson for taking that role and playing it the way he did. He had to know people would bash him for contributing to stereotypes etc. Both rolls were inspirational . And I hope he and Hanks helped people to see " Challenged " people more humanly.

[@StonedMickey]

Chevy, thank you for turning down Forrest Gump part. The only thing I'd like to see you in - a Chevy being chased out of town.

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hi how are you doing?

[@tammyevans7333]

Thanks for sharing!

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@tukmol5881]

They seem to think that they can pull off the Hanks charisma...

[@od1452]

Yes. Kevin Bacon could have pulled it off. but I'm glad Gary got the role. He was great. I have always appreciated that when Kevin plays the role of a soldier he always is trim and fit, looks good in his uniform, cuts his hair , and plays the role with respect. Too many actors are a joke in uniform. I find it disrespectful.

[@lauramcnally1805]

Outstanding one of a kind movie with flawless performances. However, nothing was mentioned about Sally field and if there were actresses who were up for the role of Forrest Gump,s mother?

[@w9gb]

Kevin Bacon was making “A Few Good Men” … in a role that Rob Reiner thought he was perfect for.

[@avejoe]

Forest Gump is a Timeless Classic from the cast to script. They pick the right stars for the characters this movie. I didn't know Dave Chappelle was almost cast for a role of Bubba.

[@FactsVerse]

Absolutely, we feel the same way! Thank you for sharing your sentiments and for watching our content. What other types of video would you like to see on our channel?

[@calcham1]

Thanks for the video! I had no idea that so many famous actors had turned down roles in this movie. On the other hand, who really knows in advance if a movie is going to be a huge hit?! Not only that, who knows that if certain roles were played by other people, the movie would have been as big, or possibly even bigger?

[@FactsVerse]

You're very much welcome and thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@simonromijn3655]

Interesting thinking about and comparing Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. Both were iconic movies made around the same time. Both had an eclectic feel with story-lines shifting from one seemingly impossible scene to the next. The former however celebrated a human capacity for hope and love and the latter dwelt on the dark side of the human spirit.

[@HoldenNY22]

ONe could also make a Strong Case that Forest Gump was U..S MIlitary- Militry Industrial Complex Propaganda. It made the Vietnam War look like a Noble Cause spoiled by those Damn Hippees.

[@FactsVerse]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@fanaticat1]

Loved this video! When it came to Kevin Bacon, Chevy Chase's name came up. Chevy Chase was mentioned earlier in the video...

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching and for pointing this out! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@fanaticat1]

@@FactsVerse you’re very welcome! How about old cartoons from the 50s 60s and 70s? Summer very popular like Scooby Doo and Bugs Bunny

[@frankwilson4717]

Those Are Immortal Characters, NOW! Career DEFINING, CHARACTERS!!!!!!!!!

[@FactsVerse]

We absolutely agree! Thank you for your watching our video. Be on the lookout for the next one!

[@williamewing5509]

I have got two movie DVDS of John Travolta with Sissy Spacek and Nancy Allen in Carrie with Denzal Washington in the remake of Robert Shaw Walter Matthau and Martin Balsam in The Taking Of Pelham 123 I am dedicating these movie DVDS to my old school friends who are both sisters as I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris Marie and Hester Brand from Billyxxxxx

[@questfortruth665]

Travolta as Gump?! Nah! Not in a million years!

[@promotinggrandpa]

when a movie is a blockbuster success its because the cast was the correct one to begin with regaurdless who WAS SUPPOSSE TO PLAY THE PART

[@markant9534]

Travolta would have played Gump the same way he played the wierdo in the fanatic, lol

[@matthewalexanderlemma8000]

Don’t know if it’s true or not, but I once read somewhere that Chevy Chase claimed to have turned down “Forrest Gump” because he felt the screenplay wasn’t very good and that he believes Tom Hanks had it tweaked some.

[@FactsVerse]

Interesting, thank you for sharing this information about Chevy. How do you think Chevy would fare up against Tom with the leading role?

[@matthewalexanderlemma8000]

@@FactsVerse, I’m honestly not the biggest fan of Chevy Chase and don’t understand why people find him funny. He so, in my opinion, he would not have been as good as Tom Hanks had he accepted the role of Forrest Gump.

[@feliciajenkins5041]

Chase would've ruined Forrest Gump. It would've been liked the misnamed Funny Farm.

[@ronricherson6685]

Gary Sinese should have gotten Best Supporting Actor. His range and command of the role was incredible; I thought, "Yeah, Kevin Bacon could have done this" but I don't think he could have pulled off those vulnerable moments later in the movie like Gary did. Robin Wright was the best choice too. Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore? They have an aura that doesn't fit someone from Mississippi. I think they would been more of a distraction than a balance to Tom Hanks. John Travolta? NO way! Can you imagine him trying to sound like he's from the South? Neither can I?

[@robertvance1873]

I think Kevin Bacon would have been a great LT Dan

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@robertvance1873]

@@FactsVerse I would like to see you do a segment about the mix of acting roles that were passed up and different roles that Actor, Rock Star, Author, Rick Springfield has been a part of and how he mixed his love for music to launch him to super stardom, plus dig in to the times that he was so poor he about threw in the towel.

[@robertvance1873]

And how people like Kevin Bacon were a part of Rick Springfield's life. Yes I am a Super Fan. But like Rick I have battled depression and Rick's Songs Greatly influenced me to keep trying and not throw it all away and love life.

[@Daniel_B_23]

Kevin bacon with a Chevy Chase title card. Lmao. 🤣 Y’all had to know that was on purpose.

[@ShelbyFarrow]

Interesting. They all did such an amazing job it is hard to imagine anyone else playing their roles. Though I can see Kevin Bacon as Lt. Dan. He would have been great. A couple of things I have heard about John Travolta are that many years ago he was offered the role of An Officer and a Gentleman and he turned it down and then it was given to Richard Gere. I also heard that Tom Hanks was the first choice to be the lead in Primary Colors but he didn't want the role because it portrayed Bill Clinton in a negative light and then John Travolta was given the part.

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. Who is your favorite celebrity?

[@ShelbyFarrow]

@@FactsVerse My favorite celebrity would be country singer Alan Jackson and also George Strait. For actors/actresses it would be Felicity Jones and Emily Blunt.

[@markrosenfield9576]

Perhaps Self doubt played a role to them, Tom hanks,sally field,all those ex.presidents,Elivs

[@Wiser1FOREVER]

Yes, the other actors considered for the role likely would NOT have won an Oscar for it. Their expressed regrets over passing on the role can be considered a form of conceit to assume any of them would have automatically won an Oscar if they starred in that movie.

[@bobwallace9814]

Every movie has the same "usual suspects" up for the roles. The audience never sees that part. Just like Mr Spock on the original TV series Star Trek. Instead of Leonard Nimoy, the producers were going to go with Goober from Mayberry.

[@FactsVerse]

We absolutely agree! Thank you for your watching our video. Be on the lookout for the next one!

[@harperstacey9604]

Martin landau from mission impossible was the first choice to play Mr. Spock. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@bobwallace9814]

@@harperstacey9604 Would have been a tough call to decide between Star Trek and Mission Impossible. Maybe it was MI casting his wife Barbara that made the difference.

[@harperstacey9604]

@@bobwallace9814 the irony is, when Martin landau left mission impossible, Leonard nimoy took his place. Leonard was a regular on mission impossible for 2 seasons. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@lianefehrle9921]

Jodie foster was one that surprised me.

[@NateKat80]

Kevin Chase?

[@paulrivera797]

I think Ice Cube would have been good as Bubba but in the end, it was best the way it came out.

[@Peep.this_Nukka]

Many (utmostly extremely almost all) Hollywood (as well as Television) actors have unadulterated propensities to be "hard to work with". If you have spent years in the "moving scenery”; or, if Lady Luck shall acknowledge your presence: an unbilled "dancer" of the "thought by all pre-releasedly involved” sure-to-backslide into stark obscurity/unimportance "roll of film”. All of a sudden: you're the talk of Tinseltown. The main view of The View. And then; out of the fantasies of anyone who would have a speaking and/or "business" role in a project parallel to "The Craft” your stagename is part (even if only footnotesque) of one of Conan O'Brien's many Fine Arts ventures. You get a big head. You don't understand how insignificant you are in the execution of the contributions (already AI-integrated) that you had controlling "stake" in developing. Ah, Sheit! You find it hard to back-pedal from undeserved prima-dona (John Wayne) again to Marion (of easily overlooked ”once upon a time" fame). To enjoy continuous/seemingly endless Starpower; one should NOT ride the coat-tails of previous success(es), but (instead) devise a constant "factory" of reinvention/reintroduction. Don't be a facsimile of who you think your public wants you to be. Keep them guessing. Be a new you e'ery-damn-time making an appearance. Take (for, obscure, instance) the works of Andy Kauffman and his slew of an infinite personas he could, spot-on, personify (at the drop o'a damn hat). Pure-Acting-Savant! Jus’like NEsavant, he was quite comfortable being reclusive.

[@peacearena]

Thank goodness Chevy Chase didn't do it. He's a terrible actor, and nobody would remember the film today if he was Forrest. Straight to video!

[@georgelux126]

I really liked Forrest Gump when I first saw it, but every time I watch it I like it less. Pulp fiction and Shawshank Redemption from the same year I like more every time I watch them.

[@babybro70]

John Travolta is a great actor? Oh My Gad! Wha?

[@shannonhunt7966]

All the actors that were not cast, would have been great. But the movie would have been different.

[@Gencturk92]

why do people look at the actor and not the story of the film ? i never judge movies on who the actors are i look at the story

[@dennisanderson7829]

Hi, my name is John Gay Travolta people just call me gay. Who cares.

[@bobbarnes6520]

❤

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're glad to know that you love our video. If we may ask, what other types of video would you like to see on Facts Verse?

[@garycorbin2789]

What about Grease ?

[@cadeevans4623]

Oh wow had no idea about this I couldn't see anyone else playing forest gump besides Tom hanks i saw John Travolta and Nicole Kidman had no idea they turned it down

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you learned something new about Forrest Gump! Be safe and have a great day ♥

[@stephaniegormley9982]

I can see most of these alternatives as being able to play those roles,....except for Travolta. NO.

[@elainehiggins713]

It all make sense?

[@randolphwh9551]

That make no sense Travolta wasn't regretful who'd pass on a Tarantino films Cameron and Scorsese u don't say no

[@ronwelch9796]

Saggy

[@jamessutherland5107]

I bet Travolta would have done an excellent job, I can see him as Forrest

[@JoshuaD88]

first

[@alancrisp1582]

Wow 👏what an intelligent comment. Did your mom 👩 help you write it ?.

[@JoshuaD88]

@@alancrisp1582 Malding

[@FactsVerse]

Congratulations, we would love also see you be first on our next video! Are you up to our challenge?

[@markant9534]

Pulp Fiction was better than Forrest Gump.

[@HoldenNY22]

Doifferent Genres of Movies. I think it is hard to compare Apples and Oranges. One was a Gangster/Action Movie- the Other was the journey of an Innocent in an Evil World- almost a Fantasy.

[@FactsVerse]

@@HoldenNY22 Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. What other types of video would you like to see?