Throwback!See 7 Fun ‘Cast Away’ Facts Every Die-Hard Fan Should Know
We bet you didn't know some of these Cast Away movie facts!
Click through the gallery to learn seven fun facts about the hit movie — then buy the Cast Away DVD here!
1 of 9
![Cast away 1](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-1.jpg?fit=800%2C455&quality=86&strip=all)
R/R
The movie's screenwriter stranded himself on an island for film research
William Broyles Jr. spent several days by himself on an island in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez prior to the movie's filming to research survival tactics.
2 of 9
![Cast away 3](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-3.jpg?fit=800%2C800&quality=86&strip=all)
R/R
Tom Hanks almost died during filming
Yes, seriously! While on set in Fiji, the actor got a cut on his leg that later developed staph infection. Tom stayed in the hospital for three days to recover.
3 of 9
![Cast away 4](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-4.jpg?fit=800%2C496&quality=86&strip=all)
R/R
Wilson sold for $18k at auction
One of the three Wilson volleyballs used in the film garnered $18,400 in a January 2001 auction.
4 of 9
![Cast away 2](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-2.jpg?fit=735%2C1177&quality=86&strip=all)
R/R
Tom Hanks lost 50 pounds to play Chuck Noland
The flick's filming was even delayed a year so Tom could shed 50 pounds — and grow out his hair and beard! — as real time passed in the movie.
5 of 9
![Cast away 6](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-6.jpg?fit=688%2C688&quality=86&strip=all)
R/R
FedEx didn't pay filmmakers to appear in the movie
FedEx had no objections to being featured in the film and even offered support during shooting. The shipping company later admitted the flick increased FedEx business worldwide!
6 of 9
![Cast away 7](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-7.jpg?fit=638%2C638&quality=86&strip=all)
R/R
Most of the nighttime scenes were actually shot during the day
With the exception of the fire scene, all nighttime island shots were filmed in daylight and the sky's darkness was digitally added during post-production.
7 of 9
![Cast away 5](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cast-away-5.jpg?fit=673%2C500&quality=86&strip=all)
Tom Hanks and Wilson recently reunited at a hockey game
Tom and Wilson — his volleyball pal from the movie! — had a cute cast reunion when a Cast Away fan handed the actor the prop at a New York Rangers hockey game in February 2015.