Tom Hanks and Robin Wright are collaborating again for the first time since their iconic roles in Forrest Gump over 25 years ago. The acting duo stars in Here, a new drama directed by Robert Zemeckis that had its premiere at AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Friday. Here tells the interweaving stories of multiple families and their connection to a single location across generations. Zemeckis also directed Hanks and Wright in Forrest Gump, which won six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
At the premiere, Hanks described reuniting with his costar Wright as natural and easy. When asked about working together again after so long, Hanks said “You know what it was? It was like, ‘Hey, how you doing?'” He noted that their professional rapport picked up right where they left off over two decades ago. Wright agreed, saying that she and Hanks “love each other because we’re so easy with each other.” She called being able to collaborate with Hanks once more a “luxury” that allowed them to continue conversations unaffected by time.
Along with Hanks and Wright, Here also reunites Zemeckis and Forrest Gump screenwriter Eric Roth. Their new film is an adaptation of Richard McGuire’s graphic novel. It weaves together multiple character stories across generations to explore fundamental human experiences. Like Forrest Gump, Here aims to portray profound themes through its sweeping narrative. The ensemble cast additionally includes Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, and Michelle Dockery.
Given the past success of Forrest Gump, which won Best Picture and awards for Hanks, Zemeckis, and Roth, Here carries high expectations. With its AFI Fest premiere, the film is the first collaboration in over 25 years between some of the key creative talents behind one of the most honored movies in Academy Award history.
