THE MARTIAN trailer previews Ridley Scott’s sci-fi novel adaptation starring Matt Damon

The Martian trailer sees Matt Damon stranded alone on Mars

Director Ridley Scott returns to outer space sci-fi with the upcoming movie The Martian, and the first trailer for the Matt Damon-starring film debuted recently. Adapted from the original novel by Andy Weir, The Martian follows one man’s struggle to survive being stranded on Mars, and the movie looks like a mix of man-vs-wild and a meditation on human existence. The style and tone have already been compared to Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, which is inevitable, but what I’m most excited to see is Scott’s visual flair backed by strong source material. The director’s films have suffered from scripts that buckle under pressure, and it’s nice to see him picking up a project and property that’s already well-liked. Here’s hoping The Martian is fantastic!

Watch the first trailer for The Martian, and check out a plot synopsis and poster for the film, after the jump.

Again, it’s almost impossible not to compare or at least glance casually in Interstellar’s direction when considering The Martian, with the element of isolation at its center, but the movie looks like its own beast. Surviving for years as the only person on Mars and having to “science the sh*t” out of the situation looks entertaining, and strong creative talent both behind and in front of the camera makes me curious, to say the least.

For those unfamiliar with the novel, here’s a plot synopsis for The Martian to fill you in on the details:

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.

The Martian boasts an all-star cast that includes Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Kristen Wiig, Jessica Chastain, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Sebastian Stan, and Mackenzie Davis. The movie’s screenplay was adapted from the book by Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods), and you can catch the film in theaters on November 25, 2015.