Ruairi Robinson and WETA to experience The Last Days on Mars

Academy Award nominated director Ruairi Robinson (FIFTY PERCENT GREY) is set to direct his very first feature film, THE LAST DAYS ON MARS. Based on a script by screenwriter Clive Dawson (THE BUNKER), it’s a thriller about the discovery of the first life on Mars. 

The synopsis-

As their last day on Mars draws to a close, the astronaut crew is on the verge of a major breakthrough – collected rock specimens reveal microscopic evidence of life. Meanwhile, communication is underway with AURORA, the approaching spacecraft that will relieve the crew of their operations. In their last hours on the planet, two astronauts go back to SITE 9, a cavernous valley on the surface of Mars, to collect further evidence of their discovery. But a routine excavation turns deadly when one of them falls to his death and his body taken host and re-animated by the very life form they sought to discover.

Best news of all? WETA will be working on the creature design.

Producer Michael Kuhn (BEING JOHN MALCOVICH) says, “I have loved making sci-fi films since I made PITCH BLACK and for THE LAST DAYS ON MARS we have assembled a great team to do justice to a wonderful and commercial script.” He will be producing alongside Andrea Cornwell (THE SCOUTING SCHOOL FOR BOYS).

Focus Features International handling international sales and distribution, and they’ll be trying to sell it at the American Film Market in November.

THE LAST DAYS ON MARS is in pre-producton with an expecting start date of early 2012, on location in Jordan for a more authentic Mars look.