It has been thirteen years since Forrest Gump captured audiences worldwide, and now we’re hearing that the often talked about sequel is close to getting greenlit.
CinemaBlend’s “absolutely reliable, unfortunately anonymous source” is claiming that the project is back in development after years of sitting on the shelf.
In 2001, Eric Roth wrote a screenplay based on the Winston Groom’s 1995 follow-up novel Gump & Co. The project was never made because of a legal dispute between Paramount and author Winston Groom, who claimed he wasn’t paid properly for Forrest Gump. This is alluded to in the opening paragraph of the second book, where Gump warns the readers never to allow anyone to make a movie about their life.
Gump & Co takes place several years after the events of the first book/movie. Forrest’s shrimping business has gone bust, and Jenny has died, leaving Forrest to provide for Forrest, Jr., his intelligent, though emotionally distant, son. Forrest’s mother has also died. Jenny occasionally makes an appearance as a sort of guardian angel for Forrest and their son. Gump stumbles through important U.S. events in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of the events include: Playing football for the New Orleans Saints, selling encyclopedias, working on a pig farm, helping to develop the infamous New Coke, accidentally crashing the Exxon Valdez, helping destroy the Berlin Wall, and fighting in Operation Desert Storm. He meets many celebrities, including Oliver North, the Ayatollah Khomeini, Jim Bakker, Ivan Boesky, Ronald Reagan, Saddam Hussein, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and of course, Tom Hanks.
But would Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise be willing to return for a sequel? And is Haley Joel Osment too old to return as Forrest Gump Jr.? Would Robert Zemeckis be able to clear time in his schedule to direct? And would it be a good idea?
March 1st, 2008 at 6:42 am
I just read Gump & Co. (The sequel to the first novel.) And it was so synical and profane and at times over the top funny (though, with an unreliable narrator, to be sure.) that I just kept thinking that one actor should play the lead: Billy Bob Thornton. But then, the magic of the original would be the furthest thing from the cynicism of the sequel. I’d like to see a faithful adaptation this time, as a dark comedy.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
k if you make a sequel there is no doubt about it that Tom Hanks has to be forrest. it would be a stupid move to change, hes what made you love Forrest and he is a must for the role
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 am
forest gump is a inspiring movie.we teenagers can get spirit power
from this flim.the most memorable sentence that forest had ever said “life is like a box of chocolate,you will never know what you’ll get “still stay in my heart.we have got a great work and we also expect its sequel.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Just read something about the young man who played Fosest Gunp at the younger age in the film who just got back from iraq.
do you have any info about him?
May 30th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Forest Gump is no doubt one of the greatest movies ever mad it cover so much from love to war and i woul love to see the sequel but im afraid it wouldnt be nearly as good it would be hard to make anything as good as it. And yes Tom Hanks would HAVE to play the lead role of Forest