Chiwetel Ejiofor Joins Cast of Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN

According to Deadline, Chiwetel Ejiofor is the latest star to sign on for Ridley Scott's upcoming sci-fi film THE MARTIAN, featuring Matt Damon as an astronaut marooned on Mars.

The film "centers on an astronaut who is STRANDED on a Martian colony and struggles to survive. Back on Earth, NASA tries to mount a rescue mission."

Ejiofor, who will play "Venkat Kapoor, the Director of the Mars Mission," joins a cast featuring Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Sean Bean and Kristen Wiig.

THE MARTIAN will hit the big screen on November 25, 2015.

Ejiofor, an Olivier Award winner, is best known for starring in TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE. He has also appeared in CHILDREN OF MEN, AMERICAN GANGSTER, and 2012.

Ejiofor is also rumored to be up for a role in the next James Bond film.