Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain and Kate Mara were among the star-studded cast who dazzled on the red carpet at The Martian’s European premiere in Leicester Square.
Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor also greeted the crowds and revealed he would have taken a different career path if he’d seen the sci-fi film, directed by Ridley Scott, as a child.
“I wish I’d seen this film when I was 13, I’d have been obsessed with it. I’d have set up a hub in my bedroom and driven everyone crazy,” he said.
The Martian in the film’s title refers to Matt Damon’s character, Mark Watney, an astronaut presumed dead by his crew and left behind on Mars who must find a way to survive on the inhospitable planet while Nasa and his former crew attempt to bring him home.
Chiwetel, 38, was among the actors who met with real astronauts at the European Space Agency, while Matt and Jessica spent time with NASA.
Chiwetel plays Dr Venkat Kapoor, director of the troubled space mission, and admitted, as one of Earth-based cast, that he was “jealous of all the people who got to fly out into space.”
The film, based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weird, has received high praise from critics – and it hasn’t just been well received on Earth.
Ridley, famous for space-themed films from Alien to Prometheus, said he was pleased to have received an picture from the crew aboard the International Space Station, who were treated to a special screening of the film.
He said audiences would find the film “surprisingly amusing”.
Asked what ISS crew members Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren thought of the movie, he joked, “I have a picture of them sitting there watching it. They weren’t laughing.”
House of Cards actress Kate admitted she struggled with the scientific knowledge required to play her character, computer scientist Beth Johanssen.
“I was definitely acting in this one. It wasn’t a character I could relate to at all,” she said.
The film has not convinced all the cast to immediately sign up to a commercial flight into space.
Kristen Wiig, who plays Nasa’s head of public relations Annie Montrose, laughed that she’d turn down the chance “because I’d be nervous I wouldn’t come back.”
Also on the red carpet was James McAvoy and his sister Joy, who looked suitably glammed up for the event.
Dawn O’Porter brought some colour to the red carpet in her bright yellow coat as she arrived to her husband Chris O’Dowd.
Former Pussycat Dolls star Kimberley Wyatt made a rather glamorous entrance in her crop top and full-length skirt.
Meanwhile Chinese singer and actress Chen Shu made sure all eyes were on her in his gorgeous Grecian-style red number.
Jeff Daniels brought his wife Kathleen Treado to the event.
Sean Bean was joined by his fiancee Ashley Moore on the red carpet. The former Game of Thrones actor is planning to marry for the fifth time.
The Martian is out in cinemas on September 30.
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