Tom Hanks is a renowned name in the Hollywood industry. The actor started his cinematic journey as an underdog and gained widespread recognition with his comedic performances in classic slapstick films like Splash and Bachelor Party. Soon, he proved his versatility to the world by performing complex and dramatic characters. Hanks’ sheer acting talent has been honored with top honors, including the Oscars. He won two consecutive Academy Awards for his deeply moving dramatic performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. While his aforementioned performances were indeed praiseworthy, one of the best Tom Hanks performances of his career to date is in his 2000s film “Cast Away.” Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Hanks took his most challenging role in the film. Hanks received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and an Academy Award nomination for his impeccable performance.
What viewers get to see is the exemplary performance of the actor on screen, but what they usually miss is the toll it takes on an actor to give that performance. Hanks’ role in “Cast Away” was not only physically demanding, but during the filming of the scene, his life was also put in danger.
Tom Hanks’ life was in danger while filming Cast Away
“Cast Away” is a 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film focuses on the nightmarish events a man goes through to survive on a deserted island. Tom Hanks, the protagonist (Chuck Noland) of the film, dedicatedly performed his role depicting the physical and mental torment of a man stuck alone on an island.
Chuck struggles to survive while learning to adapt to his new surroundings, facing numerous challenges, such as finding food and shelter and dealing with his solitude. During an early scene in the film, Chuck is seen exploring the boundaries of his new home. While filming that scene, Hanks got himself injured in the leg. What initially looked like a mere cut, actually proved to be fatal, as Hanks later revealed that the poison that had infected his leg nearly claimed his life.
While Hanks completed the entire film and was in character for most of the production, he was forced to take a three-day break from filming so that he could be rushed to a hospital and receive treatment. Thankfully, the immediate hospitalization helped him to recover fast, and it also saved him from any serious health issues.
What Is Cast Away About?
“Cast Away” narrates the tale of the FedEx systems management employee Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), who travels the world as a part of his job to fix software issues in satellite companies. Although he is accustomed to his usual life of travel, he thinks of settling down with his girlfriend, Kelly Frears (Helen Hunt), so that they can start a family. However, fate has other plans for Chuck, as one evening, he receives an emergency call from Malaysia to settle an issue. Chuck boards the plane, but he fails to reach his destination as his plane crashes and lands on an isolated island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. From there, the tale of his survival starts. From that point, he has to deal with every odd situation encountered to survive.
The theme of the film is centered not only on survival but also emphasizes the importance of connection, human resilience, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of adversity. Hanks has undeniably delivered a remarkable performance, taking viewers on a psychological rollercoaster ride.
Cast Away is available for streaming on AMC+.
