Kaiser pointed me to People Magazine’s Instagram and it’s full of short videos of Matt Damon answering fan questions about his upcoming Ridley Scott movie, The Martian. The film is based on a book by Andy Weir about an astronaut, trained in mechanical engineering and botany, using his scientific knowledge to survive being stranded on Mars. It’s out October 2 and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the two trailers I’ve seen so far. I’m definitely going to be in the audience opening weekend. (Although I pretty much do that for every Matt Damon movie.)
As is the case with most interviews I see with Matt Damon, it’s not what he says exactly but how he says it. The camera is so close that you feel like he’s Skyping just with you. I wish we could see more raw interviews like this with celebrities, there’s something deliciously intimate and real about this. I’m including a few videos below and here are some of the questions he answers from fans:
What drew you to the character of Mark Watney?
I loved the script I loved the book but what really put me over the top was the fact that the movie was going to be directed by Ridley Scott.What character trait do you feel was most important for survival on Mars?
[That] would probably be ingenuity. The character I play has that in spades and that’s what helps him survive.What was it like working with such an amazing cast?
It was definitely and amazing cast but… I didn’t really get to work with any of them. I did get to work with Jessica in a few scenes but for the most part I’ll have to meet these guys on the next movie.Without spoiling anything too much for those who haven’t read the book, what was your favorite quote?
I think my favorite quote from the book is actually in the trailer which is ‘I’m going to have to science the shit out of this.’Do you think this movie will inspire youngsters of the present day to pursue future careers in STEM?
I really hope so, when I first met with the screenwriter Drew Goddard he said he wanted this to be a love letter to science and hopefully that’s what we’ve made and that’s what will be a piece of inspiration for a lot of young people out there.Taking this role for this film did you learn a lot of science that you didn’t expect you’d know?
I learned a few things. I definitely learned how to grow potatoes. ‘Cause we grew a lot of potatoes and there’s no faking it… I got a crash course in potato farming.If you were stranded on Mars, name three things you’d want with you
Well I’d want my family, I’d want food and water.What is your favorite disco song?
That’s tough, I’m not a big disco fan. Maybe ‘Hot Stuff,’ Donna Summer.
[From interviews with Matt Damon, featured on People’s Instagram]
I really like what he said about inspiring kids in STEM careers. My son will be 11 soon and he loves science. I’ll read the family reviews for this movie once it’s out and see if it’s ok for him to see with me. I’ve read the first few chapters of the book which are available as an Amazon preview. Weir writes in the first person with a very casual writing style filled with interesting details of how Damon’s character survives through ingenuity. I’ll probably finish reading this ahead of the October release.
Here are some of the videos from People. This was a great idea, especially with Damon. He looks incredible and it’s like he’s flirting with the camera/me.
Here are photos of Matt Damon at Disneyland with his family on 8-20 and at a talk with NASA on 8-19 also featuring NASA astronaut Drew Feustel, author Andy Weir, and Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters Jim Green. NASA had a rare collaboration with the film. Photo credit: FameFlynet
You are right Celebitchy, he melted my panties for sure.
The fact that he has retained his boyish good looks, yet is obviously matured, I really want to do things to him.
WHOO! *fans self*
If this movie is half as good as the book, then it’s going to be amazing! I can’t wait to see it.
Me too! Haven’t been this excited for a movie since Harry Potter, lol.
It’s fantastic. The audiobook is worth a listen to as well. I’m still not really a fan of Damon for the role in all honesty. And some of the white washing they did in the movie aggravates me, but no one will notice so whatever.
White washing as in all the actors are white, or like they changed the story?
Totally agree. Such a great book. Maybe not for everybody, but I couldn’t put it down.
Matt has one of the best smiles in celebrityland. It transforms his face, and I always melt when he smiles.
He really does. Man, he has been looking SO good lately…and I say that as someone who is usually lukewarm towards his appearance.
+1 on everything here Kitten
Agreed. His smile is utterly beautiful. Unlike Kitten, I have always been totally enthusiastic about his appearance.
So true, Jayna. That smile is radiant.
Yes, totally. In his serious movies, he can’t show a hint of a grin because it just doesn’t work for Jason Bourne to have that radiant of a smile.
Ewan McGregor is the same way.
True dat.
I’m liking the grey hair (or maybe that’s because he and I are about the same age), and the scruffiness works for me.
The book was great and I ‘m not a huge fan of that genre. And damn! Matt is looking good.
Matt Damon is fabulous. He was everything in “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “The Good Shepherd”. Those are my faves from him. And of course, Jason Bourne. God only knows what really goes on with any of these celebs, but I genuinely like him.
Of course a Boston guy is going to pick Donna Summer for a favorite disco song. Anything else would be treason
Nope, panties still very intact. He holds zero sex appeal to me. He does seem like he would be a nice neighbour to have though. Like he would water your lawn when you were away and bring good beer to barbeques.
Chichi…lol…I’m with you! Matt has never had any sex appeal to me either! I think he is a good actor, but nothing special. And I agree about the being a good neighbor part, too! lol
Thought it was just me.
He’s both imo. He’s my hot neighbor that is always so friendly, but nothing will happen.
Loved the book…kinda disappointed with the trailers. Movies are never as good as the picture that the imagination creates. Also, Matt Damon seems to be a really nice guy, but hot?? I don’t know…
He does nothing for me.
me neither. I was a big fan of his but I can’t remember the last movie I went to see him in. Except for the Candlelabra HBO movie which I hated.
He only gets better with age! I saw the first Bourne movie the other day and he looked so young.
He did nothing for me years ago, but now…he’s definitely getting better with age. Can’t wait for this movie, the book was so great and the trailer looks good.
If the writer in the group shot is the one with the white socks and hiking shoes … more proof that nerds rule!
My whole panty drawer just burst into flames.
^^^. 😜😞😜😃😃😃😅😅😜. This.
I’ve always loved Matt Damon. Dude gets better with age *swoon*
Yes indeed!
Hey, Celebitchy – send your boy to http://www.zooniverse.org. It’s proper, real, valuable citizen science. At 11, he might need a bit of help with some of the instructions for the various projects but after that he’ll be away. The Sixlets lose hours upon hours there.
My neighbor with young boys looove this! And now FMORC and I are hooked too. Sundays It’s Car Talk, Wait Wait, and an experiment during so we can laugh through the frustrations if it’s challenging.
Sixlet Major does the animal ones and Sixlet Minor and I do all the space-y ones!
Jody fosters contact was my generations love letter to science… Glad to see a new one on the horizon
I love the opening scene of that film, zooming out into the universe.
My absolutely favorite page to follow on FB is the Hubble telescope. The images are so beautiful.
yes! Just re-watched a month or so ago it still pulled me in, think now Contact would be even more controversial because of the rise of the ultra religious/conservative.
Love Matt. Please don’t ever let him mess up like Ben did. Stay classy, Matt!
He’s never done it for me but he’s a good actor. I’ll be catching this one. The book was well done for a self-published serial but the language was so primary school. Good story and I’m glad it’s getting people interested in STEM and interplanetary travel.
I love Matt Damon. That is all.
PANTIES. HAVE. MELTED.
He’s THE BEST. For always.
I think Matt is talented and hot. I’d do him.