John Travolta, Bill Murray and Chevy Chase Quit Playing FORREST GUMP; Nicole Kidman wouldn’t even read to Jenny if(typeof ez_ad_units != ‘undefined’){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],’geektyrant_com-box-3′,’ezslot_0′,112,’0′,’0′])};__ez_fad_position(‘div-gpt-ad-geektyrant_com-box-3-0’);

Forrest Gump is one of the greatest movies ever made, in my opinion and in the opinion of many other movie buffs. It’s one of those movies where the stars aligned, a great script was written, and it won an Oscar Tom Hanks he pulled off a performance that touched our hearts. The way they weaved Forrest’s story into the fabric of American history was such a unique and original idea for a fictional film. But as we’ve heard before, it could have been very different.

The film was directed by Roberto Zemeckiswhich leads to Forrest Gump had directed Romance the stone, Who Framed Roger Rabbitand Death becomes heras well as his most popular films to date, the Back to the Future film trilogy, so it’s funny that so many people turned down a part in what would become his biggest box office hit yet.

Zemeckis’ first choice for the role of Forrest was nominated for an Oscar John Travolta (Fat, pulp Fiction), who gave up the part to star in another classic film – pulp Fictiondirected by Quentin Tarantino. Other actors who were up for the role include Bill Murray (ghost Buster, And Bob?) and Chevy Chase (Vacation, The three friends!). Both of these actors have their backgrounds in improv 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 sidekick and Vietnam War friend, Bubba.

Jenny was played by the Emmy nominated actress Robin Wright, but as with Hanks, it wasn’t the first choice. The studio offered the role to both Jodie Foster (The silence of the lambs, Panic room) and Demi Moore (Ghost, GI Jane), which eventually passed. They have also expressed interest in Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!, Little big lies), but he also wouldn’t read for the part or audition.

An all-star troupe of actors also passed on the role of Bubba, including Tupac Shakur, David Alan Grier, Ice cubeand Dave Chapelle. Mykelti Williamson he got the role and his touching yet understated performance as Bubba was another perfect component of the film.

I really can’t imagine any of these other actors in the roles. I think this movie is so good in part because of the magic of the cast. Do you think any of these other actors could have been just as good in lead roles?

Via: CheatSheet