Jeff Daniels in Talks for Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeff Daniels is in talks to join Ridley Scott's upcoming sci-fi film THE MARTIAN, in which Matt Damon will star an astronaut marooned on Mars.

The film, originally to be directed by Drew Goddard, "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." Daniels will play the head of NASA.

Jessica Chastain, Kristin Wiig, and Kate Mara also in the mix for lead roles.

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

Daniels is known for his Tony Award-nominated performances in shows like God of Carnage, from his Academy Award-nominated performances in movies like The Squid and The Whale ... and for starring as anchorman Will McAvoy in Aaron Sorkin's HBO series, The Newsroom