Twenty-four years after its release, Tom Hanks has revealed that a particular scene in his acclaimed film Cast Away remains too difficult for him to watch. The actor, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role in the Robert Zemeckis-directed drama, confessed that he leaves the room if the specific moment appears on screen.
The scene in question occurs when Hanks' character, Chuck Noland, returns home after years stranded on a deserted island and visits his girlfriend, Kelly, to give back a pocket watch she had given him. Speaking on the podcast The Rest is Entertainment, Hanks explained his discomfort: "There is a moment [...] in Cast Away in which I am back and Chuck is back in Kelly’s house and he gives her his, her watch back. And there’s a moment where I just think I’m not there." He elaborated, stating, "All it is is a turnaround on me, but I do this gesture that I just think is false and is me and is not Chuck. And if the movie is on, I will get up and leave the room before that scene comes on."
Cast Away, released in 2000, was a critical and commercial success, reuniting Hanks with director Zemeckis following their collaboration on Forrest Gump. The film garnered two Academy Award nominations, including a nod for Best Actor for Hanks. His powerful portrayal of the marooned FedEx employee also earned him the Best Actor accolade at the Golden Globes and a nomination in the same category at the BAFTAs, solidifying its place as a significant work in his extensive filmography.
Beyond his past roles, Hanks is currently in the spotlight promoting the fifth instalment of the beloved Toy Story franchise, in which he voices the iconic cowboy doll, Woody. This new animated adventure, set to arrive in UK cinemas this Friday, 19th June, reportedly delves into contemporary themes, including the impact of children's screen time. Hanks has spoken about how the film tackles the "terror" of this modern challenge, with Woody and Buzz Lightyear encountering a new rival in the form of a frog-shaped tablet character named Lilypad.
For UK audiences wishing to revisit Cast Away, the film is available to stream on Apple TV+. New subscribers can access a seven-day free trial, after which the service costs £9.99 per month. The new Toy Story film will be widely available in UK cinemas from Friday. Listeners can also find The Rest is Entertainment podcast on various platforms.
Source: The Rest is Entertainment podcast, BBC