Actor Matt Damon, who stars as Astronaut Mark Watney in the upcoming movie "The Martian," visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Tuesday.

During his tour of the facility in Pasadena, California, Damon visited with NASA staff and took part in a question and answer session about NASA’s journey to Mars and the film with NASA Astronaut Drew Feustel, film director Ridley Scott, author Andy Weir, and Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters Jim Green. NASA scientists and engineers served as technical consultants on the film.

Damon was also on hand as the latest trailer for the movie, which opens October 2, was shown.

During his visit Damon got a surprise phone call from astronauts Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren who are onboard the International Space Station and put his hand prints in cement at the JPL's Mars Yard.

The film is based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir and directed by Ridley Scott.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "The Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return.

"The Martian" also stars Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.