What first really drew me to Watney was the fact that there aren't a lot of characters like him. Characters in life or death situations tend to feel like they fall into two tropes - they're heroes or they're doomed. There's no middle ground. The brilliance of Mark is that he drew me in and didn't lose me. He's funny and he's smart without making the situation that he's in seem glib or as if there isn't anything at stake. Mark is this brilliant scientist who is a celebration of science and human ingenuity. People like Mark Watney are the people who make all the important discoveries in the world. They're the ones that siege into the unknown without being sure of what they're getting into. They're pioneers. People like Mark Watney are people who change the world. How could I not be interested in playing someone like that?
