The Martian is a 2015 epic science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Based on Andy Weir's 2011 novel, and distributed by 20th Century Fox, the film stars Matt Damon, alongside an ensemble cast featuring Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, and Mackenzie Davis. The film depicts an astronaut's struggle to survive on Mars after being left behind and NASA's efforts to return him to Earth.
Producer Simon Kinberg began developing the film after Fox optioned the novel in March 2013. Goddard, who adapted the novel into a screenplay, was initially attached to direct, but production was only approved after Scott replaced Goddard as director and Damon was cast as the main character. Filming began in November 2014 and lasted about 70 days, on a $108 million budget. Twenty sets were built on one of the largest sound stages in the world in Budapest, Hungary. Wadi Rum in Jordan was also used for exterior filming.