Where Was “Cast Away” Filmed?

Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, and Nick Searcy. Hanks plays FedEx worker Chuck Noland, who becomes stranded on a lonely island after his plane crash-lands in the South Pacific. He attempts to survive for four years and return home, all with his volleyball companion, Wilson, by his side. If you are interested in where was “Cast Away” filmed, read on to learn more about filming locations.

A Tom Hanks blockbuster performance

Hanks’ performance is harrowing and believable—he was nominated for an Academy award for best actor. His dedication to the role is total—in order to portray a man who is starving for four years, the production schedule was paused for a year to allow Hanks to first gain and then lose 50 pounds.

A deserted island in the south Pacific

If you are interested in the question where was Cast Away filmed, you might like to know all the island scenes were filmed on Monuriki island, one of the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. It is an uninhabited volcanic rocky island in the South Pacific, so it was a perfect setting for Chuck Noland’s four year solo odyssey.

Visitors can actually visit Monuriki from nearby Fiji. It is difficult to find a venue in the United States that can stand in for a south Pacific island, but a search of Peerspace can help you find photo and film shoot locations that might approximate such a remote location. 

A search of venues on the volcanic Hawaiian islands resulted in several excellent options. This exclusive outdoor space with an unforgettable view is located on Oahu, one of the Hawaiian islands. The description is amazing: “Malu Malu, which means peaceful shelter, sits atop one of the most stunning views in all of Oahu. This 157-acre property boasts panoramic views of the ocean and the most beautiful mountain range in Oahu.”

Even though it is just minutes from town, you can imagine that a 10-minute walk into the surrounding wilderness will make you feel like you are on a remote and deserted island.

Another excellent option for a Cast Away-style video shoot or event that could stand in for where was Cast Away filmed could be this private, expansive estate with ocean view on the far north shore of Kauai, Hawaii’s most remote volcanic island. The venue is spectacular and the description is evocative: “Nestled on a 5-acre private hilltop estate, this gorgeous 6500-square-foot mansion provides extraordinary panoramic views of the Kauai coastline.”

You can imagine that the house would be a luxurious base for filming just steps away on the deserted beach that could easily stand in for a remote south Pacific island.

The remote Texas Panhandle

After four long years, our protagonist Chuck is rescued from the remote island and returns to the US. The final scene of Cast Away depicts Chuck as he attempts to deliver a package that he has kept safe throughout his entire saga on the desolate South Pacific island. It was the one package that he didn’t open because it had angel wings painted on the box, and his superstition or his faith made him keep the package safe and bring it back to the US for delivery.

If you are interested in the question where was Cast Away filmed, you might like to know that the scene was filmed in the dusty Texas Panhandle at the remote Arrington Ranch near Miami, Texas. Ironically, this location seems as remote as that desert island, as there is not a person in sight for miles and miles. 

If you are searching for a filming location that might approximate that remote sight, Peerspace is an excellent place to start. A quick search of the Peerspace search engine yields a number of venues in the state of Texas including this rural ranch with amazing views.

The description is promising: “This operating ranch is located 20 miles outside of Granbury and 50 miles outside of Fort Worth. A newly remodeled Homestead sits atop a hill that overlooks the surrounding area with clear views of Comanche Peak.” It seems to be suitably remote and would make a fabulously comfortable base for filming.

Remote locations allow for introspection

After four years in complete solitude, it seems that our hero Chuck may actually prefer living in a remote location. He seems to gravitate to the remote ranch where he is about to deliver the fated package. Perhaps his smile as he regards the road towards the ranch leads the viewer to believe that his future lies there?

Find unique production venues on Peerspace