Ridley Scott has disclosed that his acclaimed sci-fi film, The Martian, is fundamentally a comedy despite its usual classification. Although the film includes humorous episodes, it was traditionally seen as a serious science fiction drama. Scott’s new perspective challenges this by highlighting the film’s comedic elements.
Scott Explains the Comedy Behind the Story of Survival on Mars
The Martian, which is celebrated as a standout science fiction movie, offers more than just a survival tale, according to Scott. The director describes the plot simply: an astronaut is stranded on Mars, manages to survive, and eventually returns to Earth.
A guy gets stranded on Mars, and he actually survives, and they pick him up, and he goes back to Earth,
Ridley Scott said in an interview with GQ.
He added with a candid tone,
Isn’t that f—— boring, right? But I knew what to do,
and further explained,
And I saw it in the early days. I said, ‘Wait a minute, this is a comedy.’ And they said, ‘What? A comedy?’ I said, ‘Yes, it’s a comedy. How on earth could anything where you survive by growing vegetables from your own sh– not be funny?
Comparing The Martian to Upcoming Projects
Scott made these remarks while discussing his upcoming film, The Dog Stars, featuring Jacob Elordi and other notable actors. He pointed out that although scripts for these movies might appear to fit straightforward genre categories, he approaches them with a novel and broader viewpoint that allows for deeper or alternative interpretations like comedy.
The Martian’s Recognition in Comedy Awards
This is not the first time The Martian has been linked with comedy. During the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated in the Comedy or Musical categories. The film won Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, while Matt Damon earned the award for Best Actor in this category, underscoring its comedic recognition by major award bodies.
Background and Plot Overview of The Martian
The film adapts Andy Weir’s 2011 novel about Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, who becomes isolated on Mars after debris strikes during the Ares III mission. Believed dead by his crew, Watney relies on his ingenuity to survive alone and establish contact with NASA, driving the story’s tension and ingenuity.
The Significance of Viewing The Martian as a Comedy
Ridley Scott’s classification of The Martian as a comedy invites audiences to reconsider the tone and approach of the survival story, blending humor with science fiction. This perspective may influence how future science fiction projects balance dramatic stakes with levity. As Scott moves forward with The Dog Stars and other films, this fresh interpretive lens highlights his evolving directorial vision and the creative possibilities within genre filmmaking.
