“I put the ‘not’ in astronaut.” Ryan Gosling, who previously played astronaut Neil Armstrong in 2018’s FIRST MAN, suits up again in the brand new trailer for the highly anticipated PROJECT HAIL MARY.
Based on the novel by Andy Weir and directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, with a screenplay byDrew Goddard, PROJECT HAIL MARY is in theaters March 20, 2026.
Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.
Both Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (their first film since 22 Jump Street) won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” in 2019. Goddard wrote Cloverfield (2008), World War Z (2013), and The Martian (2015), the latter earning him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. In 2011, he made his directorial debut with The Cabin in the Woods.
In 2018, Deadline reported Andy Weir’s ‘Artemis’ was also being adapted for the big screen based on, “the novel by The Martian author Andy Weir that Phil Lord & Chris Miller will direct.” In 2017, Salon said of the novel, “Hell Yes, ‘Artemis’ should be made into a movie.”
We’re almost a week into the Fall, a time for serious stuff at the cinema, not saucers and BEMs (bug-eyed monsters). Well, hold on to your ray-guns, this isn’t a Summertime sci-fi staple with a much delayed release date. You see, the title character is actually an Earthman, but he’s also an alien since he’s not on his home planet. Huh? And this isn’t a tale set hundreds of years in the future, or is it set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” (gotta’ wait another ten weeks or so for that). No, this is set in the very near future (unlike that other star franchise), plus it’s rooted pretty much in the realities of space travel. No warp drives or matter transporters here, so star hopping takes a long, l-o-n-g time. Oh, and this flick’s main setting has been making headlines lately (that loud sigh of relief you may be hearing comes from the Fox marketing gurus). For you see, although Mark Watney wasn’t born on the angry red planet, during this story he is THE MARTIAN.
Excuse me if I sound like a famous beagle author, but…it was a dark and stormy night…on the planet Mars. Said storm is bearing down on the intrepid crew of the Ares 3, the pride of NASA’s exploration mission. As those brave astronauts struggle to return to the ship, the violent wind propels a satellite dish into one of the crewmen with the force of a cannonball. Mark Watney is swallowed up into the dust and darkness. His suit is not transmitting any vital signs. Captain Lewis (Jessica Chastain) must make a very tough decision. Those strong winds threaten to topple the rocket which would strand them there (rescue would take months , perhaps over a year). The only option is to blast off and leave behind their fallen comrade. Back on Earth, mission control gets the bad news. The head of NASA, Sanders (Jeff Daniels), makes the formal announcement at a press conference overseen by public relations director Montrose (Kristen Wiig): the Ares crew has left Mars after the death of Mark Watney. But Watney pulls a Mark Twain and awakes after the storm has past. The dish knocked out his vital sign emitter. Dazed and injured he makes his way to the enclosed lab (the Martian Habitat or HAB) the crew had constructed. He’s got his work cut out for him. The supplies will run out long before Ares 4 arrives, so he’s got to grow some food in the reddish clay-like Martian soil. And he’s got to contact Earth. Thanks to his pluck and some old tech, Watney contacts mission control. Now Sanders has a new set of decisions. Tell the still traveling Lewis and her crewmates (Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie) of Watney’s survival? Hurriedly construct another rocket? As plans are made on Earth, Watney embarks on a long, lonely quest for survival.
The element that helps this makes this mainly Mars-bound epic soar is the winning performance of Matt Damon. I mean, if you’re going to be stuck on a big red rock then you’d be very fortunate to have him as company. In other films I’ve been struck by the great chemistry Damon has displayed with his co-stars, particularly the actresses (Emily Blunt in THE APPOINTMENT BUREAU, Dallas Bryce-Howard in THE HEREAFTER), so I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining and engaging he is when he’s, just by himself ,usually talking straight to us as Watney, leaving a detailed video diary. He’s a unique screen hero who uses his intelligence rather than his brawn (or transports or weaponry) to triumph. We believe that he will, as he remarks, “Science the s*#t out of it!”. And despite his obstacles and setbacks never gives in to despair (although he does choke back a few tears). The film could easily get too wrapped up in space jargon, but Damon’s always ready to give this tech heavy story a smile along with a warm, beating heart. It’s a remarkable acting achievement worthy of all the accolades sure to come his way (and isn’t it about time that his screenplay Oscar got a playmate?).
But, despite its title, this flick isn’t a one man show. Damon is ably supported in space and on Earth. On the Ares 3, Chastain plays a decisive leader, although she lets us see Lewis’s agony over having to make the most difficult choice ever. Pena’s does a very entertaining riff on the affable space jockey, the wheel man always quick with a joke to take the edge off a dangerous situation. Mara bounces back nicely from some cinema setbacks as the computer whiz (just as her role in the FANTAST…never mind). Stan is a very courageous tethered retriever while the stoic Hennie surprises with hidden talents. Back on the “big, blue marble” Daniels injects a sardonic wit into the role of the big boss, and verbally spars with the energetic Chiwetel Ejiofor as the new guy who’s not afraid to ruffle some feathers. Just as she proved in DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, screen comedy queen Wiig can be a great dramatic co-star. Sean Bean gives the team’s NASA rep, a strong, stubborn sense of purpose. And the great Donald Glover brings a manic, child-hood sense of joy as the brain that’s always thinking outside the box.
But the big talent that shoots this story past the stratosphere is the great Ridley Scott, who’s doing his best work in years, perhaps decades. This is a worthy companion to his futurist hat-trick begun with ALIEN and continued with BLADE RUNNER. This space saga never lags, never goes into free fall. And after making his name in lots of terrific TV from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to “Lost”, Drew Goddard establishes himself as a major screenwriting talent with this adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Andy Weir. The science never overwhelms the very human elements of this tale. It tells us to use our head, but never ignore your heart. Although it may often play as a modern re-staging of the 60’s cult classic ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS (minus the fantasy beasties), this feels like a truly fresh and original movie experience. Its sense of optimism and wonder soars where the recent TOMORROWLAND, and ,to an extent, last year’s INTERSTELLAR stumbled. Bravo to Harry Gregson-Williams for a subtle music score and to cinematographer Dariusz Wolski for making that alien soil a place of wonder, tranquility, and unexpected danger. Everyone involved are to be lauded for helping to make THE MARTIAN an adventurous, exploration cinema classic that will inspire generations to come.
On Thursday, the cast and filmmakers of THE MARTIAN walked the red carpet for the European premiere in London.
Visit the film’s Twitter and Instagram accounts for photos and videos from the red carpet premiere.
Continue to get involved and visit BringHimHome.com to put yourself in the official poster.
During the many interviews, director Ridley Scott also talked about the next ALIEN/PROMETHEUS film and said nonchalantly the title will be ALIEN: PARADISE LOST.
Get a first look this Monday, September 28 at 9:45/8:45c on HBO.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.
Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
THE MARTIAN hits theaters everywhere on October 2, 2015, in 3D. Get your tickets now: http://fox.co/MartianTickets
Director Ridley Scott’s sci-fi journey, THE MARTIAN, rockets into theaters on Oct. 2.
WAMG has your passes to the St. Louis screening!
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.
The screenplay from Drew Goddard, is based on an original novel by computer programmer-turned-writer Andy Weir.
Helmed by Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Donald Glover, Mackenzie Davis, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
THE MARTIANhits theaters everywhere on October 2, 2015, in 3D!
WAMG invites you to enter for a chance to win a pass (Good for 2) to the advance screening of THE MARTIAN on Tuesday, September 29th at 7PM in the St. Louis area.
We will contact the winners by email.
Answer the following:
2015 marks 50 years of successful NASA missions to Mars starting with which spacecraft?
What orbiter went up in 1975?
Which robotic Mars rover landed on July 4, 1997?
TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWERS AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.
3. No purchase necessary.
The film has been rated PG-13 for Some Strong Language, Injury Images, and Brief Nudity.
20th Century Fox has released a clever new viral video from the upcoming film, THE MARTIAN.
Featuring Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, the studio gives viewers a glimpse at what goes into the training for the mission.
Today, the Ares Space Program and Under Armour announce a historic partnership in which the global performance brand will provide innovative, state-of-the-art training gear to the Ares III crew as they embark upon the rigorous journey to Mars.
Building on the success of the Ares I and Ares II missions to Mars, the Ares III will break ground again with a 31-day surface mission to examine the planet’s biological and geological history – our longest mission yet. Preparing for such a mission requires every astronaut to undertake hundreds of hours of physical training at the highest level. With that in mind, we’ve partnered with Under Armour to ensure our crew receives the best training possible.
“As brands go, I can’t think of a better partner for this mission,” said astronaut Mark Watney. “Their mantra of hard work and accomplishment speaks to everything it means to become an astronaut. The constant repetition of drills and training and preparation is as much a battle of the self as it is against the challenges themselves. For an organization that embraces the I WILL attitude, they’re the perfect company to help us as we press forward, because for us, we have to train like survival is our only option.”
The brand and Ares III team will debut Watney’s pre-mission training program that consists of extensive strength and endurance workouts to help prepare him for intense G-forces, to sustain muscle mass and bone density in space, and to cope with the challenges of long-duration space flight.
Since the Ares III crew must train like world-class athletes, Under Armour has made the commitment to support this history-making endeavor as it advances the future of humanity.
Mankind’s most ambitious undertaking, the Ares Space Program will send five teams comprised of international astronauts to Mars for a series of missions aimed at investigating the planet’s biological, atmospheric and geological history. Launched in partnership with both private companies and governmental agencies, the Ares program is the product of a second great space race built on the spirit of cooperation and human endeavor. The program will culminate with the christening of a new global space station that will serve as a launching pad for future missions. For further information, please visit www.areslive.com.
Watch the first clip from the movie:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
The movie will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival later this week.
Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) finds himself stranded and alone on Mars, in the brand new trailers for Ridley Scott’s THE MARTIAN.
From 20th Century Fox, the highly anticipated movie will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet.
With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission.
As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.
Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
The producers on the film include Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood and Mark Huffam,
Annie Montrose (Kristin Wiig), NASA’s media relations director, and NASA’s Director of Mars missions, Dr. Vincent Kapoor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), do everything they can to bring home an astronaut stranded on Mars, in THE MARTIAN.
On Tuesday, Damon participated in media interviews at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
NASA scientists and engineers served as technical consultants on the film. The movie portrays a realistic vie of the climate and topography of Mars, based on NASA data, and some of the challenges NASA faces as we prepare for human eplorations of the Red Planet in the 2030s.
Damon talked with the media about art, science and NASA’s Journey To Mars. “I can hope that some kid sees it and geeks out on science and pushes them in that direction.” He adds, when talking to the screenwriter about the adaptation of author Andy Weir’s book, Drew Goddard told him, “I want this to be a love letter to science.”
For all you budding astronauts, check out NASA’s plans to visit the Red Planet HERE.
Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Damon talks on the phone with NASA Astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren who are onboard the International Space Station (ISS), while NASA Astronaut Drew Feustel looks on.
Damon smiles after having made his hand prints in cement at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Mars Yard, while Mars Science Lab Project Manager Jim Erickson, left, and NASA Astronaut Drew Feustel look on.
Astronaut Drew Feustel, Matt Damon, Director Ridley Scott, Andy Weir and Dr. Jim Green.
Matt Damon and Director Ridley Scott
Astronaut Drew Feustel, Matt Damon, Director Ridley Scott, Andy Weir and Dr. Jim Green
Author Andy Weir
(Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images)
Astronaut Drew Feustel, Matt Damon, Director Ridley Scott, Andy Weir and Dr. Jim Green at the Twentieth Century Fox THE MARTIAN Trailer Launch Event at United Artists La Canada Theater on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, in La Canada Flintridge, CA.
Read the book before the movie hits theaters this fall.
Andy Weir’s brilliant debut novel is a riveting story of an astronaut trying to survive after being accidentally left behind on Mars. An instant New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestseller, it is now published in thirty-five languages worldwide. It is the most immersive, believable suspense novel you’ve ever read – a book not just for sci-fi geeks, but for fans of man-versus-nature tales like A PERFECT STORM, APOLLO 13, ROBINSON CRUSOE, and CASTAWAY. The movie tie-in edition is available now from Broadway Books.
20th Century Fox has debuted the first global trailer for their highly anticipated cinematic adventure, THE MARTIAN.
Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
Be sure to head to IMDb’s twitter page at 10am PT/1pm ET for an exclusive twitter chat with Author Andy Weir and Screenwriter Drew Goddard.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.
Meet the crew below.
Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Donald Glover, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Jeff Daniels, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) introduces the Ares 3 crew before their mission launch in this first video from 20th Century Fox’s THE MARTIAN, based on author Andy Weir’s gripping book.
The film opens in November and I’m already excited for this movie.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission.
As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sebastian Stan, and Donald Glover.
Before the film debuts November 2015, check out Weir’s must-read, stellar book. (HERE)
#TheMartian screenwriter Drew Goddard & I are answering your questions on June 8 with @IMDb! Ask yours now using #AskMartian.
Jessica Chastain currently stars in Christopher Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR where she plays a scientist trying to save humanity from extinction.
One year from now, Scott and Chastain, along with Matt Damon, come together in 20th Century Fox’s upcoming sci-fi film THE MARTIAN.
“Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.
Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.
After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.”
During her recent visit to The Daily Show, the Oscar-nominated actress shared with host Jon Stewart her role in Scott’s next film. Chastain will play an astronaut in THE MARTIAN, based on the bestselling book by Andy Weir.
In a recent interview, “The Man Who Rediscovered Mars,” EW spoke with the computer programmer turned writer. (HERE)
What does author think about his book being turned into a movie?
For now, Weir has no plans to visit the set — though the idea of seeing his book reimagined with living, breathing people is enticing enough that he could maybe imagine reversing his no-fly policy. “If they invite me to go…I’d have to really think about that,” he says. ”I think I could be a great mission-control guy in the background with no lines.”
This wouldn’t be the first time an Earthling has been stranded on the Red Planet – most noticeably was ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS starring Paul Mantee, Victor Lundin, and Adam West. The 1964 movie was adapted from the classic novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe by screenwriters John C. Higgins and Ib Melchior.
Hollywood’s fascination with Mars has taken audiences on repeat voyages to the fourth planet from the sun. The long list includes THE ANGRY RED PLANET (1959), TOTAL RECALL (1990), RED PLANET (2000), MISSION TO MARS, (2000) GHOST OF MARS (2001), MARS NEEDS MOMS (2011), and JOHN CARTER (2012). Even the guy in the red suit from the North Pole made the trip in SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964).
Lensed by cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, THE MARTIAN is shooting now at Wadi Rum, Jordan and Budapest, Hungary. The screenplay is by Drew Goddard (WORLD WAR Z, CABIN IN THE WOODS).
The movie stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Donald Glover and Jeff Daniels.
THE MARTIAN is scheduled to open on November 25, 2015.
EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS will be released December 12.
