CAST AWAY: Remixed by Jorge

What is it about? Where’s Wilson? A brave attempt by Tom Hanks/ Robert Zemeckis that is only marred in its authenticity by the need to bring a second character on the island. Wilson the ball. So I remove Wilson and ALL the talking on the island.

original film name: Cast Away
film studio name: 20th Century Fox
Original Film Released: June 12, 2001
Fan Edit Released: February 8, 2007
Original Runtime: 143 min
New Runtime: 104 min


Removed crossroads opening and introduction of future love interest. They never meet.
Removed cutesy sequence in Russia. Try to keep it serious.
Trimmed Opening speech by Chuck. Too aware of itself.
Trimmed airport scene with Kelly.
Removed Chuck seeing the island at night. Now he just wakes on the island.
Removed Chuck calling out “Hello”. In fact, removed all dialogue on the island.
Removed Wilson the ball. He makes a small appearance when he opens the FedEx packages… but he’s just a ball.
Trimmed Kelly and Chuck reunion.
Re-edited Ending. No new potential love interest.
Many more cuts and trims to remember.

DVD - Features:
Menus
Scene Selection Menus
presented in 1:85:1

Conceptual improvements/advancements of edit over original:
The Tom Hank/ Robert Zemeckis collaboration was a bold attempt at experimentation within the confines of a Hollywood studio. So Remixed by Jorge’s effort was to continue in that spirit of experimentation by trimming and sometimes removing obvious Hollywood filmmaking and script conventions. Of these, the most painful for me was Wilson the ball. Chuck only manages to make fire after Wilson shows up. It’s Wilson who reminds Chuck were he can find 30 feet of much needed rope. Wilson who soothes Chuck’s fears when he can’t sleep. Chuck is heartbroken and waling with tears not when he loses Kelly but when he loses… Wilson.
Of course my attempt is to remove Wilson as a character in the film. Wilson will still show up here and there but he’s just a ball.
With Wilson out of the film we discover a new Chuck. The one that managed to survive a plane crash and eventually rescue himself.
Also gone is the implied happy ending with the artist in the desert. Chuck never meets her. He doesn’t need her to save himself.