9 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Forrest Gump You Never Knew

1. Bill Murray Almost Played Forrest

In a world where life is like a box of chocolates, we almost missed out on the sweetest treat of all: Bill Murray was the first actor offered the role of Forrest Gump, but he passed on it. Cue Tom Hanks stepping in, nailing the part, and taking home an Oscar for his endearing portrayal of the iconic character.
Source => collider.com

2. Athletes Emulate Forrest's Run

Move over, Flash, Forrest Gump is the real running inspiration: Both Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson and NFL player Leonard Fournette have admitted to basing their running styles on our beloved Forrest while Fournette even donned the number 7 in high school as a homage to the iconic cross-country sprint.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Charlie Chaplin once entered a Chaplin look-alike contest incognito and didn't make it to the finals? Discover the intriguing story behind this iconic actor's brush with identity theft in the world of silent films. 🎩 🎥

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3. Hanks' Risky Paycheck Gamble

Run, Forrest, Run to the bank! When it came to Tom Hanks' paycheck for Forrest Gump, he chose to say, "Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know when you'll grab a golden ticket": Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis both opted for a reduced upfront fee in exchange for a share of the gross receipts pre-cost deductions. Although there are disputes over the profit distribution, one thing is clear – this gamble led to sweet financial success as the film grossed over $678 million worldwide.
Source => filmstories.co.uk

4. The Multi-Location Sprint

If Forrest Gump had a Fitbit, he'd probably break it: the iconic "run, Forrest, run" scene was actually filmed in various locations and expertly edited together to make it seem like a never-ending sprint, with Tom Hanks not really running the whole distance himself.
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5. The Floating Feather Magic

In a world where a bird in hand is worth two in the bush, Forrest Gump's filmmakers went above and beyond to ensure that one famous feather got its due: They glued a real feather to Tom Hanks' foot for the opening scene, painstakingly erased it frame by frame in post-production, and replaced it with a synchronized CGI feather, creating a seamless blend of reality and movie magic that left audiences floating on air.
Source => factfiend.com

6. Farm-for-Film at Jenny's House

You've heard of farm-to-table, but have you considered "farm-for-film"? The cinematic masterpiece Forrest Gump had a side of agriculture on set, specifically for one special farmhouse: Jenny's humble abode was in fact a temporary structure built right on the same plantation as Forrest's home. Our dedicated filmmakers went the extra mile, planting crops to create a genuine farm feel, all before kissing the charming dwelling goodbye and tearing it down after the film wrapped.
Source => hookedonhouses.net

7. Bubba Gump Charity Efforts

They say life is like a box of chocolates, but at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurants, it's more like a bowl of shrimp gumbo with a side of community service: The real-life Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., inspired by the Forrest Gump film, not only tickles taste buds with southern-style comfort food but also actively makes a difference via an employee-run organization called The Shrimpossibles, which volunteers and fundraises for causes like fighting hunger, combatting illiteracy, and supporting the Special Olympics.
Source => bubbagump.com

8. Kurt Russell: Uncredited Elvis Voice

Ever heard of "The King," the legendary Forrest Gump, and the uncredited mystery man having a chat at a bus stop? Well, in this heartwarming tale, Kurt Russell played Elvis Presley's voice in the beloved movie, Forrest Gump! Beware, unsuspecting moviegoers, for it was not Peter Dobson who belted out the tunes of "Hound Dog," but rather our undercover hero, Kurt Russell: Despite not being credited, Russell confirmed in a 2016 GQ interview that he provided the iconic singing voice for Elvis in the film, ensuring that the beloved character had a truly authentic vibe.
Source => slashfilm.com

9. Bubba's Prosthetic Lip

Ever heard of the lip-smacking slang, "talkin' shrimp"? Well, in this case, it's not just the shrimp that's got the lip action going on: Mykelti Williamson, who played Bubba in Forrest Gump, actually stuffed his lip at his audition for the iconic character, which led to the filmmakers using a prosthetic appliance during filming. No shrimp-faced shenanigans here! Off-camera, Williamson left his lip at bay and later embraced his unforgettable portrayal by launching his own spice and seasoning company, "Bubba Style Spices." Now ain't that a spicy shrimp tale?
Source => eightieskids.com