20 Things You Didn't Know About Forrest Gump
13. Ice Cube & Dave Chappelle Turned Down The Role Of Bubba
Though Mykelti Williamson did a wonderful job playing Bubba, like Tom Hanks he wasn't the first choice for his role, with the studio originally seeking out two performers who would enjoy significant acting careers in the years that followed.
Ice Cube, already well known for his music career and his role in Boyz n the Hood, was offered Bubba but reportedly turned it down because he didn't want to play an "idiot."
Just as he was breaking into Hollywood, Dave Chappelle was also offered the part but turned it down believing the film would bomb at the box office, a decision he later admitted to regretting.
It's easy to see how Cube in particular could've pulled the role off, though the more laid-back, easy-going Williamson was ultimately perfect for making Bubba a supremely likeable supporting character.