We’ve been sent over this great little interview with Sean Bean. Better known for dying in most of the films he stars in. This one is different. He survives!
What do you think the audience will enjoy most about the movie?
The fascination with space, infinity and light years that you try to get your head around is obviously very entertaining for the audience. To put characters into this situation also makes this very interesting. Matt Damon playing Mark Watney and how he responded to what was around him, and how he survived is also very enjoyable. The character in itself, I found quite fascinating. It’s like Robinson Crusoe in space, we think of him on the island, using his ingenuity, his skills and his intuition. You’ve also got to think of the three separate situations, the people in outer space, what’s on the ground, and Mark Watney on Mars. To see that all come together, I thought was amazing. It’s all about human emotions. The conflicts, insecurities and the issues that we have, is at the heart of the film.
Did you grow up with an interest in Sci-Fi?
I grew up when everybody wanted to be an astronaut at one time or another, because it was the 60’s and 70’s and the first missions to the moon were in black and white and the astronauts doing those bouncy walks. We all found it exciting to be able to float around in space but I grew out of that. It’s not really something I would personally like to do, I’d be very apprehensive to put myself in that situation.
What did you think of the Lord of The Rings reference?
I didn’t know what to think of it because I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve been involved with a film like Lord of the Rings, and then also in a film which mentions the film I’ve previously been in. When we shot it, I thought what should I do with it, should I acknowledge it, or should I ignore it. I think I kind of did something in between, and it was very funny to film. When we watched it at the Toronto Film Festival, we got a bit of a laugh. It’s just a one-off, it’s great.
Do you have a favourite scene?
I think the overall highlight for me was Watney’s ingenuity. The scenes where he starts to grow these potatoes in this big tent, watching the seedlings start to grow, and you know he feels really good about it. When they all died, it’s such a small thing like a seed, but it becomes a matter of life and death. I just loved all those moments, his resourcefulness, how he fashioned a little something into something huge that might be useful to help him survive. They were the moments. Just seeing Ridley’s interpretation of the landscape of Mars is quite memorable, it really stays in your mind, the red planet with the cliffs and that loneliness. There’s something very staggeringly beautiful about it all for sure.
How was it to be in a Ridley Scott film?
To work with Ridley Scott at any time is a real privilege and an incredible experience because of his track record and his skill at making such wonderful and memorable films that we’ve all grown up with. To be involved in this one is a great thing. I almost had the opportunity to work with him before on certain occasions and it never quite worked out, so when he asked me to do this I was delighted. To work with someone who did Blade Runner and Gladiator was great, he created a wonderful environment in which we could all work. He cast us well and he creates an environment which is quite light of touch and quite free. You’re allowed to explore what you want to do without it becoming too heavy or kind of restrictive. It’s a real joy.
The Martian is released on Digital HD 25th January 2016 and on 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™ & DVD 8th February 2016
