Jessica Chastain Discusses Astronaut Training & NASA’s JPL For Ridley Scott’s THE MARTIAN

Ridley Scott’s epic EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS opens in theaters in three weeks.

Jessica Chastain currently stars in Christopher Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR where she plays a scientist trying to save humanity from extinction.

One year from now, Scott and Chastain, along with Matt Damon, come together in 20th Century Fox’s upcoming sci-fi film THE MARTIAN.

“Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney 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.”

During her recent visit to The Daily Show, the Oscar-nominated actress shared with host Jon Stewart her role in Scott’s next film. Chastain will play an astronaut in THE MARTIAN, based on the bestselling book by Andy Weir.

In a recent interview, “The Man Who Rediscovered Mars,” EW spoke with the computer programmer turned writer. (HERE)

What does author think about his book being turned into a movie?

For now, Weir has no plans to visit the set — though the idea of seeing his book reimagined with living, breathing people is enticing enough that he could maybe imagine reversing his no-fly policy. “If they invite me to go…I’d have to really think about that,” he says. ”I think I could be a great mission-control guy in the background with no lines.”

This wouldn’t be the first time an Earthling has been stranded on the Red Planet – most noticeably was ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS starring Paul Mantee, Victor Lundin, and Adam West. The 1964 movie was adapted from the classic novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe by screenwriters John C. Higgins and Ib Melchior.

Hollywood’s fascination with Mars has taken audiences on repeat voyages to the fourth planet from the sun. The long list includes THE ANGRY RED PLANET (1959), TOTAL RECALL (1990), RED PLANET (2000), MISSION TO MARS, (2000) GHOST OF MARS (2001), MARS NEEDS MOMS (2011), and JOHN CARTER (2012). Even the guy in the red suit from the North Pole made the trip in SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964).

Lensed by cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, THE MARTIAN is shooting now at Wadi Rum, Jordan and Budapest, Hungary. The screenplay is by Drew Goddard (WORLD WAR Z, CABIN IN THE WOODS).

The movie stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Donald Glover and Jeff Daniels.

THE MARTIAN is scheduled to open on November 25, 2015.

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS will be released December 12.