Summary
Tom Hanks' upcoming movie uses de-aging technology that I find unnerving, but the film also features aForrest Gumpreunion I am very excited about. In 1994,Tom Hanks starred in the iconic filmForrest Gumpunder the direction of Robert Zemeckis.Based on the novelForrest Gump, the film revolves around a man with an IQ of 75 living in the mid-twentieth century who finds himself at the center of world events.AlthoughForrest Gumpwas Hanks and Zemeckis' first project together, it would not be the last.
Forrest Gumpis available to stream on Paramount+.
Tom Hanks has a lengthy filmography, but some of his most notable roles came inmovies directed by Robert Zemeckis. The actor and director worked together forCast Away,The Polar Express, and Disney’s live-actionPinocchio.Zemeckis, in particular, is known for pushing boundaries, using innovative motion capture techniques in movies likeBeowulfandA Christmas Carol. Clearly,Hereis taking a similar approach, judging by its slightly disturbing de-aging technology. Beyond this, however, the movie promises to deliver a long-awaited reunion that no amount of CGI can ruin for me.
Tom Hanks' New Movie Has Me Worried For One Big Reason
Tom Hanks’ new movie, Here, is exciting for several reasons, but one big aspect of the film makes me especially nervous about the romance dramedy.
Here Spans Many Decades In One Home
Released by TriStar Pictures,Heretakes place from a single camera angle, spanning multiple generations in one home without ever leaving the frame. While the film focuses on Hanks and Wright’s characters, Richard and Margaret,the trailer forHerealso depicts the passage of time from the same camera angle for millennia. However,Herestill primarily concentrates on Richard and Margaret and their lives.
There’s no doubt thatHere’s approach is innovative. However, if the movie wants to provide a comprehensive portrait of two characters' lives, there are limitations on what techniques it can employ. Unless casting directors cast actors to play their younger selves, de-aging technology is necessary so that Tom Hanks and Robin Wright can accurately portray their characters at various stages of their lives. However unusual it might appear, it’s an inevitable ingredient in the story.
Here’s Tom Hanks De-Aging Looks Weird
Something About Tom Hanks Appearing Younger Is Off
Here’s de-aging technology is under intense scrutiny, especially since we know what Tom Hanks looked like decades ago because of his long career.Here’s first look of de-aged Tom Hanksis as if I am looking through a time portal of Tom Hanks' romantic comedies in the 1980s and 1990s. However,the technology still makes Hanks look strange. He does not look like his authentic younger self; appearing fabricated and somehow artificial. With de-aged technology, Tom Hanks looks like someone remembers him with only a partial memory or half a photograph rather than an accurate portrayal of his younger self.
Hereis set for release on August 12, 2025.
However, the technology only looks awkward in film stills. In the trailer,where Hanks is in motion, it is far less noticeable. Furthermore, Robert Zemeckis is notorious for toying with technology in his films.The Polar Expresscombines live action and animation using motion capture to film stage acting, then converts it to computer animation. Zemeckis repeats this withA Christmas CarolandWelcome to Marwin.Hereis also not the first film to use de-aging technology, with an estimated85% of movies using de-aging VFX. Despite these mitigations, however,Here’s images are still slightly concerning.
Here Reuniting Tom Hanks & Robin Wright Is Still Exciting
Tom Hanks And Robin Wright Reunite For First Time Since Forrest Gump
Despite the concerns about de-aging technology, I am still excited aboutHerebecause it featuresan epic reunion I have been waiting for sinceForrest Gump. For the first time since 1994, Hanks and co-star Robin Wright will share the big screen, directed by Robert Zemeckis, the same director asForrest Gump. This combination sounds promising even though the de-aging technology looks strange.Here’s premise could not be more different fromForrest Gump, and with Robert Zemecki’s directing history coupled with Hanks and Wright’s acting skills, I am hopeful about this film, despite the weird appearance of the de-aging technology.
Herealso stars Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly, Michelle Dockery, David Fynn, Ophelia Lovibond, Nicholas Pinnock, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Anya Marco Harris. Zemeckis co-wrote the film with Eric Roth.
However, there have been a few reunions over the years. While Hanks and Wright have not shared the screen sinceForrest Gump, Hanks has worked with Zemeckis for several films since 1994, includingCast Away,The Polar Express, and Disney’s live-actionPinocchio. These films, along withHere, all have something in common—in some way,each plays with themes of time and physical space. Robin Wright worked with Zemeckis onA Christmas CarolandBeowulf, and while the former also dabbles with these themes,Beowulfdoes not.
Robert Zemeckis writes and directs films with themes of time and physical space, beyond his work with Tom Hanks or Robin Wright on projects likeForrest Gump. Most notably, he directed all threeBack to the Futurefilms, wrote the first, and helped with the story for the others. These stories suggest that he is more than capable of makingHerea success – regardless of how unnerving the film’s first impression might be.
