20 Things You Didn't Know About Forrest Gump

18. Warner Bros. Gave Up The Rights To The Movie In 1988

Though Forrest Gump was eventually distributed by Paramount, it was originally due to be released by Warner Bros., who bought the rights to Winston Groom's book in the mid-80s while it was still a manuscript.

But in what must surely be one of Hollywood's most ill-judged business decisions ever, Warner lacked confidence in the film's commercial viability after the 1988 release of the similarly-themed Rain Man, and agreed to give the rights to Paramount in exchange for the rights to their upcoming action thriller Executive Decision (eventually released in 1996).

Though Executive Decision was a modest box office success, it didn't make a dent compared to Gump either financially or culturally, and so Warner were surely left kicking themselves.