More than 30 years after Forrest Gump captured hearts and won six Academy Awards, Paramount Pictures has confirmed the development of a long-anticipated sequel: Forrest Gump 2: The Next Bench. Based on Gump & Co., the 1995 follow-up novel by Winston Groom, this new chapter brings back Tom Hanks in his iconic role while exploring Forrest’s journey through the turbulent events of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
With Robert Zemeckis returning to direct and Eric Roth once again penning the screenplay, the film promises a continuation that’s funny, poignant, and reflective—mirroring the original’s blend of personal innocence and historical commentary.
Estimated BudgetThe estimated production budget for is around $100 million. While largely a character-driven drama, the film’s recreation of historic events and use of visual effects to insert Forrest into famous moments (as seen in the original) requires substantial post-production and digital wizardry. A portion of the budget is also allocated to de-aging technology and period-accurate settings.
Release DateForrest Gump 2: The Next Bench is set for a November 7, 2026 release—positioned for Oscar season and timed to mark the 32nd anniversary of the original’s debut.
SummaryThe sequel picks up in the early 1980s, shortly after Jenny’s death. Forrest is now a single father, raising his son, Forrest Jr. (played by Lucas Hedges), in Greenbow, Alabama. As Forrest navigates life as a widower and parent, his journey once again intertwines with major cultural events, from the fall of the Berlin Wall and the AIDS crisis to the rise of personal computers and even 9/11.
Forrest accidentally finds himself:
- Inventing a fast-food craze after working as a dishwasher in a fried shrimp restaurant.
- Meeting Steve Jobs while mistakenly delivering a broken typewriter to Apple’s early offices.
- Stumbling onto the field during a Super Bowl and unintentionally becoming a viral sensation in the early days of the internet.
- Serving as a comfort volunteer at Ground Zero, handing out chocolate to rescue workers and saying, “Life still is like a box of chocolates.”
Meanwhile, Forrest Jr. faces his own journey, dealing with adolescence, identity, and the shadow of being the son of a national folk hero. The film ultimately becomes a story of fathers and sons, generational change, and the endurance of simple kindness in a complex world.
Cast Highlights
- Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump
- Lucas Hedges as Forrest Gump Jr.
- Robin Wright appears in archival flashbacks as Jenny
- Mahershala Ali plays a Vietnam veteran-turned-community leader who becomes Forrest’s new friend
- Emma Stone makes a cameo as a reporter chronicling Forrest’s life story
Final ThoughtsWhile Forrest Gump 2: The Next Bench is steeped in nostalgia, it’s more than just a return to familiar territory. It’s a reflection on how time marches on—and how some hearts never change. Fans can expect the same mix of humor, heartbreak, history, and hope that made the original unforgettable.