<P> The official soundtrack CD is an anthology of musical pieces from all films up to that point directed by Zemeckis and scored by Silvestri . The only track from Cast Away itself is the theme from the end credits . </P> <P> FedEx provided access to their facilities (Memphis, Los Angeles, and Moscow) as well as airplanes, trucks, uniforms, and logistical support . A team of FedEx marketers oversaw production through more than two years of filming . FedEx CEO Fred Smith made an appearance as himself for the scene where Chuck is welcomed back, which was filmed on location at FedEx's home facilities in Memphis, Tennessee . The idea of a story based on a FedEx plane crashing gave the company "a heart attack at first," but the overall story was seen as positive . FedEx, which paid no money for product placement in the film, saw an increase in brand awareness in Asia and Europe following the film's release . </P> <P> In the film, Wilson the volleyball serves as Chuck Noland's personified friend and only companion during the four years that Noland spends alone on a deserted island . Named after the volleyball's manufacturer, Wilson Sporting Goods, the character was created by screenwriter William Broyles, Jr...While researching for the film, he consulted with professional survival experts, and then chose to deliberately strand himself for one week on an isolated beach in the Gulf of California, to force himself to search for water and food, and obtain his own shelter . During this time, a volleyball washed up on shore . This was the inspiration for the film's inanimate companion . From a screenwriting point of view, Wilson also serves to realistically allow dialogue in a one - person - only situation . </P> <P> One of the original volleyball props was sold at auction for $18,500 to the ex-CEO of FedEx Office, Ken May . At the time of the film's release, Wilson launched its own joint promotion centered on the fact that one of its products was "co-starring" with Tom Hanks . Wilson manufactured a volleyball with a reproduction of the bloodied handprint face on one side . It was sold for a limited time during the film's initial release and continues to be offered on the company's website . </P>

How many years was he on the island in castaway