Cate Blanchett was the original Commander Lewis choice before a scheduling conflict led to Jessica Chastain; Drew Goddard’s directing path was recalled.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:05:11Read transcript

Blanchett was the original choice for Commander Lewis.
The hosts liked Chastain in the finished role.

Recasting Couch

Carrie Washington or Kate Winslet for Kristen Wiig, and Ed Harris as Teddy, were the strongest proposals; other possibilities were debated.

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:08:46Read transcript

Kerry Washington was proposed for the public-relations role.
Kate Winslet’s Steve Jobs performance made her another proposal for the PR role.
Kate Winslet was also proposed as Commander Lewis.
Tom Hanks was proposed for Teddy.
Jeff Bridges was proposed for Teddy.
Tommy Lee Jones was proposed for Teddy.
Ed Harris was proposed as the best Teddy replacement because he supplied the desired Pat Riley quality.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Research covered Jordan/Hungary locations, NASA assistance, Damon’s five-week solo shoot, staged potato growth, and the 2035 setting.

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:11:46Read transcript

The Mars exteriors were filmed in Jordan.
Soundstage work was filmed in Hungary.
NASA assisted with science and technology.
Damon filmed his solo material for five weeks.
The production maintained real potatoes at multiple growth stages.
Andy Weir placed the story in 2035.

Picking Nits

Toxic Martian soil, impossible storm force, Watney’s weight loss, the hard-to-follow gravity-assist plan, and surprisingly effective tarp/duct tape were questioned.

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:15:04Read transcript

Later findings that Martian soil is toxic undermine the potato premise.
Andy Weir acknowledged that Mars’s thin atmosphere makes the opening storm physically impossible.
A body double supplied Watney’s extreme emaciation.
The gravity-assist plan remained hard to follow and seemed oddly undiscovered by everyone else.
Tarp and duct tape seemed implausibly sufficient for Mars and space.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Questions covered Watney’s missing family, post-return romantic life, sexuality, character backstory, death-free sci-fi, 2035 CNN, astronaut marriages, and his exact time on Mars.

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:21:36Read transcript

Where was Watney’s family?
What romantic relationship, if any, awaited Watney after his return?
Was Watney’s sexuality deliberately left unspecified?
Was the absence of character backstory a flaw or a strength?
Is this the only consequential science-fiction movie in which nobody dies?
Would CNN still look the same in 2035?
How often do astronaut marriages survive the demands of the work?
Watney spent 568 sols, about 578 Earth days, on Mars.

Mentions across The Rewatchables

Double Feature

Apollo 13

The Rewatchables · aired August 25, 2026

First Man, Gravity, The Martian and Rocky IV

Approx. transcript time · 01:47:37Read transcript

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