The Martian casts Jeff Daniels; Kristen Wiig, kate Mara to join as well

Last Updated on July 22, 2021

High-concept, big-budget sci-fi is "in" again. With last year's GRAVITY and this November's INTERSTELLAR leading the way, it seems as though we can expect to venture to the stars much more often – and with A-listers along for the ride. The latest project to keep an eye on is THE MARTIAN, based on Andy Weir's 2012 e-book publication. Ridley Scott is directing from a script by Drew Goddard (who was originally slated to helm it) and Matt Damon is set to star. That sounds exciting enough, but now further casting news has tumbled in.

The Hollywood Reporter claims Jeff Daniels has official boarded the ambitious project. Additionally, Kristen Wiig, Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena and Kate Mara are all rumored to be circling the film, although their connection to it is more tenuous than Daniels'. Still, that's a nice batch of names.

Here's the book's synopsis:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) 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.

 

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.

 

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

 

Daniels will play the NASA director attempting to help the stranded man.

20th Century Fox will distribute THE MARTIAN. More news should be coming in soon.

Kate Mara