Tom Hanks Reveals Why Attempts To Make 'Forrest Gump' Sequel Died

Tom Hanks got candid about how discussions regarding a sequel to the 1994 classic hit "Forrest Gump" never pushed through despite the staggering success of the film.

"I will say that, with a long time in between, we did take a stab at talking about another 'Forrest Gump' that lasted all of 40 minutes...and then we never...we said, 'Guys, come on,'" Hanks said on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast Wednesday.

The movie was based on a 1986 novel by Winston Groom which led to a 1995 book sequel, "Gump and Co." Hanks starred in "Forrest Gump" as a simple, kind-hearted man who lived in Alabama during the Vietnam war and the infamous Watergate scandal. With an IQ of 75, Gump wins medals, creates a famous shrimp fishing fleet, starts a ping-pong craze, writes bumpers stickers, creates the "smiley" and meets the president, among other adventures.

"Forrest Gump" grossed $678 million worldwide and was the top-grossing film in the U.S. in 1994.

Though "intrigued" by the Bollywood remake of "Forrest Gump," the 66-year-old actor said he is never compelled to reprise a role unless there is a good reason to do it.

"A smart thing I did is I've never signed a contract that had a contractual obligation to a sequel," Hanks said in the podcast. "I've always said, 'Guys, if there's a reason to do it, let's do it. But you guys can't force me.' There is that natural inclination that is one of pure commerce that says, 'Hey, you just had a hit, so do it again and you'll have a hit.'"

Despite not pushing through with the idea of a "Forrest Gump" sequel, Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunited for Disney's live-action "Pinocchio" which will begin streaming on Disney+ on Sept. 8.

"Pinocchio" is the fourth team-up for the pair who also worked together on "Cast Away" and "The Polar Express." Hanks said they are going to work again for a fifth project though he did not elaborate on it.

In "Pinocchio," Hanks plays an impoverished, childless woodcarver Gepetto who wishes on a star to turn one of his puppets, Pinocchio into a real boy. A Blue Fairy hears his wish and brings the puppet to life.