Matt Damon will play Mark Watney in Ridley Scott's "The Martian." (Photo : Twitter/@Variety)
Ridley Scott's upcoming sci-fi space film "The Martian" is currently facing lawsuit claims.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Russian screenwriter Mikhail Raskhodnikov has recently filed a suit against 20th Century Fox. As per Raskhodnikov, the studio imitated some portions from the script of his 2013 sci-fi film "Marsianin," which actually means "The Martian." His complaints were raised by his lawyer Shota Gorgadze via a Russian FM radio station.
As per Gorgadze, the Russian screenwriter penned the script in 2008 and he was certain that his script reached Fox's headquarters after he shopped the script to several studios. Gorgadze also raised the issue to Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, claiming the right to rightfully suspend the film's release in Russia.
According to Cinema Blend, Scott's "The Martian" was inspired from Andy Weir's book of the same name and was adapted by "Daredevil" writer Drew Goddard into a screenplay. The publication added that the case is similar to what happened to James Cameron's "Avatar." Checin writer Ruslan Zakriyew filed a complaint on the film, but it was not pushed further.
Meanwhile, "The Martian" follows the astronaut Mark Watney as he gets stranded on Mars following a windstorm. The incident prompts the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) team to make a move to save Watney. The film stars Michael Peña, Sebastian Stan, Donald Glover, Mackenzie Davis, Sean Bean, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Jessica Chastain, and Damon as Watney.
Along with Scott directing the film, Goddard is on board to pen the script of the film. Simon Kinberg, Aditya Sood, Mark Huffam, and Michael Schaefer are set to co-produce the film.
Directed by Scott, "The Martian" is slated to premiere in theaters in the United States and in Russia on Oct. 2 and Oct. 8, respectively. Watch the trailer here:
