Wilson finds a new home with FIJI
In a heartwarming tribute video titled '
Wilson's Happily Ever After
', audiences have been reintroduced to one of pop culture's most unlikely and beloved icons, whose story first captured hearts in a classic island survival story filmed in Fiji 25 years ago.
Thought to be lost forever, Wilson has been discovered right where his story began, in the place where happiness comes naturally.
Imagining what might have happened after floating away into the vast ocean, the film shows Wilson washing up on the sun-kissed sands of Fiji, where he's embraced by the warm and welcoming local community.
There, he's discovered by a young Fijian girl, Lani, who brings him into her world and into island life.
The tropical island paradise known for its warm, friendly locals has welcomed the volleyball with open arms, showing him the best that Fiji has to offer.
The pair is seen biking through the Fijian forests on the retired sugar cane railway tracks, enjoying kava with villagers, kayaking and splashing around in the crystal blue waters, and, of course, Wilson soars through the air in a game of beach volleyball.
Tourism Fiji chief executive officer Brent Hill says that the tribute is a celebration of both Wilson's enduring appeal and Fiji's spirit of happiness.
'Wilson's story is one that has stuck with so many for 25 years,' he said, 'He's the volleyball that broke hearts around the world. So when we realised it had been a quarter century since he was last seen drifting out at sea, we thought what better time to give Wilson the ending he deserves? And not only did he survive, he's thriving, making friends, and even playing volleyball again,' Hill stated.
He added, 'The short video is a way of giving fans a little closure and celebrating the heart that makes Fiji so special, where Wilson has found his happily ever after, where happiness comes naturally.'
The tribute highlights Fiji's growing role in the global screen industry, with a number of productions taking place in the islands over the decades, including The Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields, and many TV series such as Survivor, Love Island and Shipwrecked.
Fiji's film sector has become a major contributor to the local economy, employing more than 1,200 locals and collaborating with nearly 300 local businesses, while injecting close to USD 100 million FJD during the 2023-2024 financial year alone.
'Fiji is an incredible filming destination with picturesque backdrops, warm tropical weather, and experiences for a range of different traveller types,' says Hill. 'We're excited to celebrate 25 years since one of the first major productions in Fiji, while continuing to grow the industry and showcase Fiji on the world stage.'
The latest film also taps into a long-standing online debate: What happened to Wilson? Over the years, many fans have taken to popular discussion platforms like Reddit to debate theories.
One user said, 'The scene still hits me really hard two decades later, so I was wondering', with another adding, 'Definitely a death scene. He is lost to the waves.'
These theories are lovingly put to rest with a feel-good happily ever after worthy of Wilson's legendary status.
Watch the video here:
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