Tom Hanks’ latest film, Here, a $50 million production, has struggled at the box office, earning just $5 million in its opening weekend.
In Here, Hanks, 68, reunites with Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis and co-star Robin Wright, 58, in a film that explores the events unfolding around a single spot of land and its inhabitants across generations.
Despite high expectations, Here has not resonated with audiences as Forrest Gump once did, and Zemeckis attributes the film’s disappointing performance to the challenging state of the movie industry.
Industry sources informed that Here was a risky investment from the start, with all major studios initially passing on the project, viewing it as a challenging film for broad audiences.
Additionally, Here was produced without a domestic distributor, further complicating its release.
Although Sony eventually took on distribution due to its past partnerships with Hanks on films like A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and A Man Called Otto, the film’s start was rocky.
Reflecting on the film’s journey, Zemeckis credited former Miramax Head Bill Block for championing the project, acknowledging Block’s vision and commitment.
Block had been instrumental in seeing Here through much of its production before he departed Miramax in October 2023, leaving Sony to finalize the distribution arrangement.
Described as “a generational story about families and the special place they inhabit, sharing in love, loss, laughter, and life,” Here is adapted from Richard McGuire’s 2014 graphic novel of the same name.
The film also stars Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, Michelle Dockery, Gwilym Lee, and Ophelia Lovibond, adding an ensemble cast to the heartfelt narrative.
Looking back nearly 30 years, Hanks, Wright, and Zemeckis achieved tremendous success with Forrest Gump, a cultural phenomenon that grossed $678.2 million worldwide on a $55 million budget.
The 1994 classic followed the life of Forrest Gump (played by Hanks), a man with disabilities who experiences some of the most significant events in 20th-century American history.
Alongside Hanks and Wright, the main cast included notable actors such as Sally Field, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Haley Joel Osment.
Directed by Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth, Forrest Gump impressed audiences and critics alike, earning 13 Academy Award nominations and winning six, including Best Picture, Best Director for Zemeckis, and Best Actor for Hanks.
In December 2011, Forrest Gump was added to the National Film Registry, honored for its technical innovation, cultural impact, and nuanced engagement with American history.
Unlike Forrest Gump, however, Here has yet to capture similar acclaim or box-office success, a challenge Zemeckis ascribes to the current pressures facing the film industry.
