Tom Hanks and Robin Wright use A.I. and girdles to play teenagers in new film ‘Here’

Tom Hanks and Robin Wright are stepping back in time for their new film Here, utilizing cutting-edge technology and clever costume choices to portray their characters as teenagers. The reunion with director Robert Zemeckis, who previously worked with them on Forrest Gump, offers a deep dive into the couple’s journey of love over the decades.

In the film, Hanks plays Richard and Wright takes on the role of Margaret Young. The story spans multiple years, detailing their romance from youthful beginnings to family life. To convincingly portray their younger selves, both actors embraced a blend of physical acting and technological enhancements.

Wright elaborated on their transformation in a recent interview with The New York Times, explaining how A.I. technology played a pivotal role. “It’s literally data they derived from interviews Tom and I did when we were 18, 19, 21; still photographs; stuff that is online,” she said. This data was fed into a machine that allowed the actors to look like 17-year-olds, while they also wore girdles to achieve a youthful appearance.

The duo not only relied on technology; they also adapted their performances. “We were acting physically, raising the octave in our voice, to be a 17-year-old,” Wright noted. “But A.I. gave us the innocence in the eyes and the youthful skin. And got rid of the saggy neck.”

Hanks described the experience of witnessing their de-aging process in real-time as “kooky,” recalling the world premiere at the AFI Fest on October 25. He remarked on the immediate feedback the A.I. provided, saying, “That was like the gimmicky kind of aspect of it… We don’t have to wait for the post-production process to view [ourselves as young].”

However, Hanks admitted that playing the younger versions of their characters wasn’t the most challenging aspect of the film. Instead, he found portraying their characters at age 35 to be the more demanding task. “That time when your metabolism stops, gravity starts tearing you down, your bones start wearing off. You stand differently,” he explained to Entertainment Tonight.

Here is now in theaters, showcasing not only the evolution of its characters but also the innovative methods employed to bring them to life. With Hanks and Wright at the helm, the film is set to resonate with audiences both for its storytelling and its technical achievements.