- Matt, on the set of the film "Martian" you first worked with the legendary director Ridley Scott. Have you ever got acquainted on the project or knew each other?
- We have never met before. What is somewhat strange, because we were all the time with each other, but never once crossed any event or at a party, nowhere. And our first meeting was very easy. He said: "We have never met." I: "for sure." He: "Scenario is excellent!" I: "Yes!" He: "So why, damn it, we do not remove this movie?" (Laughs.) That's all our negotiations.
- What are Ridley films delight you most?
- Many. Probably most of all I was impressed by the "strangers" and "Razor Running". When they came out, I wanted to make a movie. So they had a huge impact on me.
- You probably shared with each other stories about our past works?
- We basically spoke about his films that he took off earlier. I literally flooded him with questions. So everyone comes, who is communicated to him to meet him. But, I think Ridley is already used to this. Because when you remove such legendary films, everyone wants to find out more about them. And he is very generously sharing his knowledge of filmmaking and curious stories from his own experience. It is very interesting to be with him.
- Did you read the book that was based on the script?
- Yes, first I read the script, and then the novel.
- What did you like in this story most?
- First of all, the main character. The author of Roman Andy Weier described very well in the book, and Drew Goddard moved to the script all the risks and difficulties faced by the Mark Sents, being in this terrible situation. But at the same time Mark managed to preserve the sense of humor. This adds ease and ease into narration, but at the same time does not make the plot less tense. We discussed it with Ridley during our first meetings. Humor is very important. Who can be interesting to look like a guy two hours, gritting his teeth and fists, is something trying to do something? Yes, you need to show this danger, incredible efforts, the fear with which the hero has to face. But at the same time, I want to entertain the viewer, cheer.
The Martian landscape was recreated in the Pavilion of the film studio in Budapest, and panoramic views were filmed in the Vadi Rama Valley in Jordan. .
"Jessica Chestain said that he went to NASA and communicated with an astronaut before filming in the film. Did you somehow prepare for the role?
- No, I did not do anything like that. (Laughs.) Unless we went to the gym. Astronauts are in excellent physical form, and, I suspect, all the actors had to be pretty practice before filming. And I talked a lot from Ridley. He spent parallels with Robinson Cruise, the film, which he always dreamed of removing, and considered Marsianina with a modern variation on the hero of the book of Daniel Defo. So all my preparation was a step-by-step study of the script, a line behind the line, and discussion with Ridley how we imagine a scene.
- Most of the movie you are alone in the frame. It was difficult to?
- Not so much for me as for Ridley, because he needed to keep the balance between the show of the loneliness of my hero and the plot lines of other characters.
- After working on this film, you did not think about what could you become an astronaut?
- After filming, it seems to me that I am not gung for this profession. But, fortunately, there are people who are suitable.
- The film is not very similar to science fiction. It seems that all this can happen in the very near future. Do you think we will soon witness people landing for Mars?
- I hope that yes. And when Andy Weier wrote this novel, he wanted the basis of the book was the science and the idea that everything would soon happen. And Drew Goddard, the script author, told me: "I want this film to be recognized in love with science." And I would like to believe that our picture will inspire young people who dream of becoming astronauts flying into space and make new discoveries.
- Your hero of Sens survives due to the grown crop of potatoes. Do you like potatoes?
- Over the last month I did not eat any potatoes! (Laughs.)
- What moment did you remember most during the filming of the film "Martian"?
- Everything was great! Maybe it sounds selfish, but during work I visited two countries - Jordan and Hungary, in which before that was not. And in both I really liked it. And I would be better back there for future filming than a minute found myself in New York. But most of all, of course, I remember working with Ridley Scott. It was fun, and I learned very much. Working with the master is just happiness.