Michael Pena is in early negotiations to join Matt Damon in Fox’s sci-fi action pic “The Martian,” with Ridley Scott directing.
Variety reports that negotiations are in early stages and Pena’s involvement will depend on his busy schedule, but the star is interested in the role. Jessica Chastain is also in talks to join the film.
Story is based on the e-book by Andy Weir about an astronaut who becomes stranded on Mars and must figure out how to stay alive long enough to get back home.
Simon Kinberg, who has been with the project since the beginning and brought the book to Scott, will produce alongside Aditya Sood through Kinberg’s Genre Films banner. Fox exec Steve Asbell will oversee the project for the studio.
Pena has a busy fall in both the film and TV world. He can be seen next in the WWII action pic “Fury” starring Brad Pitt and also appears in Fox’s event series “Gracepoint,” adapted from the U.K. murder mystery series “Broadchurch.”
