People saying new Tom Hanks film is 'Forrest Gump sequel' as he's made 40 years younger in first trailer

When it comes to de-aging actors, there’s one rule studios should always follow.

Don’t do it with film stars who’ve been famous for ages – because we know what they look like young.

In his new film however, Tom Hanks is once again teaming up with Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis, and they’re trying to overcome that challenge in a film some fans are calling a sequel to the classic.

As well as Zemeckis, Hanks is also being reunited with the ‘Jenny’ actress Robin Wright, as well as Eric Roth – the screenwriter of the Oscar-winning film.

Vanity Fair shared the exclusive first-look images of the film. (Sony Pictures via Vanity Fair)

The new film is called Here and will be shot in its entirety from an unmoving camera over the course of more than a century.

In an exclusive first look given to Vanity Fair, a de-aged Tom Hanks and Robin Wright are seen embracing in a living room.

While the pair look brilliant in the first look, only a trailer or moving look at them will truly tell whether they’ve pulled it off.

Zemeckis spoke to Vanity Fair about the film, saying: “The single perspective never changes, but everything around it does.

“It’s actually never been done before. There are similar scenes in very early silent movies, before the language of montage was invented. But other than that, yeah, it was a risky venture.

Here is the trailer:

One fan reacted to the trailer by saying: "So they de-aged Tom Hanks to how he looked 40 years ago? It kind of looks like a sequel to Forrest Gump had he grown his hair out from the buzz cut."

Hanks will be playing various ages throughout the film, ranging from his own age (67), all the way to being a young man and even a much older man in his 80s.

The film uses a mix of traditional make up effects and digital de-aging to achieve the effect.

The reaction online was mixed, with some thinking it was ground-breaking and fascinating, with others less than impressed by the concept.

One fan posted on X to say: “Sounds intriguing. Hopefully the story keeps the audience engaged because the concept is gonna wear out its welcome a half hour into the film.”

Hanks' father will be played by a man almost 15 years younger than him in Paul Bettany. (Sony Pictures via Vanity Fair)

Another posted on the subreddit r/movies to say: “I've never heard of this before now. Sounds weird. I'm into it.”

Others were less hopeful however, with one fan commenting: “Robert Zemeckis attempts the Don’t Make a Horrifying Uncanny Valley CGI Face Challenge (impossible)”.

Also, one tweet may have skewed the concept before it’s even out.

They said: “So it’s…………………a play.”

Ouch.

With the cast and crew behind Forrest Gump reuniting – here’s hoping the film lives up to hopes, rather than meeting the rather cynical expectations.