Ridley Scott’s film adaptation of Andy Weir’s incredible novel The Martian is one of my most anticipated releases of this upcoming Fall movie season. In fact, if it weren’t for a little film called Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Martian would probably be my most anticipated release. The film has a lot going for it, including a stellar cast led by Matt Damon, who I personally consider one of the greatest actors working today. In a newly released clip from the movie, or perhaps a viral video created simply for marketing the film, we’re cleverly introduced to each character with some amusing and unique insights into their personalities.
Following a stint in isolation, the crew of the Ares 3 each sit down with a psychologist to digest the experience and have each of their psyches analyzed ahead of the planned Ares mission to Mars. The clip is refreshingly funny, especially Damon’s musings on Aquaman. Even more refreshing, however, is the fact that this heavy sci-fi exploration film is being marketed more as a character piece than a spectacle-driven space epic. Check out the clip…
The Martian is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2nd. In case you missed the full theatrical trailer for the film, here it is…
The Aquaman comments are actually right out of the book. During the book Watney has been trying to keep himself occupied by watching all the videos and listening to the music left behind by the others. In one of the first chapters, I think, in which the POV isn’t Watney it is someone in NASA speculating on just what Watney is going through and what he’s thinking. Cut to Watney wondering about Aquaman controlling whales. It was a laugh out loud moment that I remember well from when I first read the book.
I’m guessing that some of this sort of thing they weren’t going to be able to fit into the movie, simply because you can only do so much, they decided to do as viral marketing instead – especially since they changed that scene to earth instead of Mars.