Java 16
Java 16 removed the ability for Forge to reflect into Java internals - meaning, it broke some of the stuff we do.
1.17 will work with Java 16 natively, but for anyone on 1.16, you need some workarounds.
Note that if you're using any version below 1.16.5-36.1.4 (that includes 1.15), this will not work. It's not possible to launch your version of the game on Java 16.
If you're on a more recent version however...
Adding
--add-exports=java.base/sun.security.util=ALL-UNNAMED --add-opens=java.base/java.util.jar=ALL-UNNAMED
to your JVM arguments should make it work.
Ideally, however, you should just downgrade to Java 8 until 1.17 is released.
Java 17
With the update to 1.18, Java 17 is stabilised (and indeed, required to run the game).
There are currently no present issues with a fresh installed version of Forge on Java 17, for 1.17 or 1.18.