16) Tom Hanks mastered survival skills and lost weight for Cast Away (2000)

In Cast Away, Tom Hanks delivers a powerful performance as Chuck Noland, a man stranded on a deserted island. To prepare, Hanks learned survival skills like starting a fire, spear fishing, and crafting tools from natural materials, guided by survival experts. To portray Noland’s transformation, he took a year-long filming break to lose 50 pounds and grow out his hair and beard, capturing the physical toll of years on the island. Hanks’s dedication brought authenticity to the role, earning him widespread acclaim and solidifying Cast Away as one of the greatest survival films ever made.
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Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu