Did You Know These Behind-The-Scenes Facts About "Cast Away"?

Mary Steenburgen Skipped Her First Day On Set

Mary Steenburgen, who played Belinda Conine, a defense attorney, had to skip her first day of filming because she wasn't emotionally ready. One of her close friends in real life had died from AIDS. She'd told director John Demme, "You might have to recast this. I’m distraught about my friend." And then he said, "No, that makes you [an] even more perfect person, not a less perfect person, to play it. Remember, this is not a film about ‘How do you feel about AIDS?’"