We've got a viral video and a number of images from Ridley Scott's adaptation of Andy Weir's The Martian, and now 20th Century Fox has unveiled the film's very first trailer, too. Matt Damon stars as Mark Watney, an astronaut who just became one of the first to walk on Mars. Mere days later, a dust storm rolls in and his crew leaves him behind, presuming him dead. However, he survives and now he's stranded on an alien planet with no way of calling for help - or so the synopsis says.
The new trailer is packed with stunning visuals and rocks a wildly riveting story, but I suspect it might be revealing too much too soon, especially when it comes to Watney's survival/escape plan. (Can anyone who's read the book confirm that?) The tonal shifts caught me a bit off guard as well. There's nothing wrong with squeezing some levity into a dire situation, but Damon's one-liners feel a bit out of place in the context of this trailer. Regardless, this is still an exceptionally engaging and powerful piece that has me eager to see the full feature.
Check out The Martian trailer and a bunch of screengrabs from Fox below. The film also stars Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Donald Glover, and is due in theaters in 3D on November 25th.
Here’s the official synopsis for The Martian:
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, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
