On the Set of Forrest Gump

by Steve Starkey, Tom Hanks (Foreword by)

Overview

Making movies is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.

Forrest Gump is a beloved and frequently quoted modern classic that has captivated audiences and changed the American cultural landscape since its release. The winner of six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay, its portrayal of American history has often sparked debate. Over the years, viewers have revisited the movie from various perspectives, comparing its sociopolitical themes to those of the current environment. There is no consensus on the exact nature of Robert Zemeckis's creation, yet its influential role in pop culture is undeniable, as is the love for the film.

Producer Steve Starkey takes readers on the set of Forrest Gump, providing a candid and nostalgic account of his personal journey during the film's production. His unique firsthand account highlights what makes this iconic movie special and outlines the filmmaking process—from Zemeckis's early determination to "do anything" to get the film made, to discussions with studio executives about funding and creative control, to the immense effort required during production. Starkey chronicles his distinctive relationship with the film as a producer and a creative partner to Zemeckis, who recognized the film's potential from the beginning.

Featuring exclusive materials—more than two hundred never-before-seen production stills and photographs depicting the entire cinematic process—this tell-all book, complete with a foreword by Tom Hanks, is a must-read for Forrest Gump fans and movie enthusiasts alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781985903692
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	03/17/2026
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200

About the Author

Steve Starkey is an Academy Award–winning film producer who, in addition to working closely with acclaimed director Robert Zemeckis on such films as Forrest Gump, Contact, Cast Away, What Lies Beneath, and The Polar Express, has operated in various capacities on projects such as George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy and Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men. Starkey's production filmography includes his role as executive producer for Last Holiday and Real Steel. He began his work alongside Zemeckis as the associate producer on Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Back to the Future, parts II and III.

Table of Contents

1 Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates
2 Searching for Greenbow, Alabama
3 Do You Have Any Peanut Butter?
4 A Hole in One
5 Diving for Dollars
6 My Magic Shoes
7 Saved by a Hurricane
8 A Production on the Run
9 Vietnam
10 Runnin' on Empty
11 Floatin' on a Breeze
12 Tiling? What the Hell Is Tiling?
13 A Day of Reckoning
14 Meeting the Presidents
15 We've Been Gumped
16 The Silver-Tongued Devil
17 I Got No Complaints

What People are Saying About This

Robert Zemeckis

"Many of the amusing stories that Starkey tells in his trip down memory lane, I had completely forgotten about. All I tend to remember about the shooting of the film was how hard it was. When I think back on the shots he describes, I remember my fears of having bumps in a camera move or if the shot was in focus. Steve's book is a look behind the curtain—an enjoyable firsthand account of the making of Forrest Gump."

Editorial Reviews

A delightful journey through the making of the Academy Award–winning Forrest Gump. Starkey gives readers a firsthand tour of what it takes to navigate the rocky terrain toward completing a movie of this magnitude. In the end, we have an engaging and illuminating tale of one of the most significant films of the late twentieth century.

Chris Yogerst

Many of the amusing stories that Starkey tells in his trip down memory lane, I had completely forgotten about. All I tend to remember about the shooting of the film was how hard it was. When I think back on the shots he describes, I remember my fears of having bumps in a camera move or if the shot was in focus. Steve's book is a look behind the curtain—an enjoyable firsthand account of the making of Forrest Gump.

Robert Zemeckis