Ridley Scott’s The Martian abandons Matt Damon on Mars and, like a sci-fi Robinson Crusoe, leaves him to deal with the small matter of survival on a planet that can’t sustain human life. In the new issue of Empire, we headed to the film’s set to watch this intriguing and more-than-likely thrilling conceit come together. Here, as a teaser for the article, are two new stills from the movie and its production.
Damon plays astronaut Mark Watney. His skillset, thankfully, is augmented by skills in the fields of botany and mechanical engineering. When he’s left stranded by a ferocious Martian storm and presumed dead, he’s forced to draw on those skills and, in his own words, “science the shit” out the situation. Back on Earth his cohorts at NASA – Kristen Wiig’s publicity maven and Jeff Daniel’s boss man included - frantically try to come up with a rescue plan, as the eyes of the world zone in on what could be a PR snafu of intergalactic proportions.
Can Watney cling to his existence (and sanity) in these punishing physical and psychological circumstances? Can NASA save the day? Will Marvin the Martian turn up, a la Gravity? Head over to our Ridley Scott trailer breakdown here for clues.
With a powerhouse cast that also includes Kate Mara, Jessica Chastain, Sebastian Stan, Michael Peña, Aksel Hennie, Mackenzie Davis, Sean Bean, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomi Scott, The Martian powers into UK cinemas on September 30. Pick up the new issue of **Empire – onsale on Thursday – for the full lowdown on this likely space epic.