Toby Jones Stars in Mars Express as Colin Pillinger

Toby Jones will star as real-life professor Colin Pillinger in the upcoming film Mars Express. The movie, set in the 1990s, dramatizes the true story of the Beagle 2 Mars probe mission and features a prominent ensemble cast including Nicholas Burns, Richard Coyle, Thaddea Graham, David Dencik, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Rob Delaney, and Fisher Stevens.

Toby Jones returns as Colin Pillinger

Toby Jones reprises his role as the real-life Professor Colin Pillinger, a BAFTA winner known for his work in 'Mr Burton' and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.' He portrays the scientist considered a hero for his work on the Beagle 2 probe. Emily Watson, a multi-Academy Award nominee known for 'Hamnet' and 'Breaking the Waves,' stars opposite him as his wife, Doctor Judith Pillinger.

Mackenzie Crook directs debut

Mackenzie Crook, best known for 'Detectorists' and 'Small Prophets,' makes his feature film directorial debut with Mars Express. The project reunites him with his former co-star Toby Jones. Crook expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: "It's a complete honour to be telling the extraordinary story of Colin Pillinger and Beagle 2 for my first feature film as director." He thanked the production's supporting partners, including BigTalk Studios, BBC Film, BFI, Sky, Screen Yorkshire, CML Entertainment Finance, and Altitude.

Mission to Mars exploration

The film follows Colin and Judith Pillinger's mission to develop the Beagle 2 probe, which was built in the 1990s to search for organic life on Mars. The story is based on Professor Colin Pillinger's book 'My Life On Mars: The Beagle 2 Diaries' and was adapted for the screen by writer Joe Bone, known for 'The Vanishing.' Production took place in mid-1990s Britain, set against a backdrop of Britpop classics.

The Beagle 2 spacecraft was deployed by the European Space Agency's Mars Express mission in December 2003. The orbiter, which has explored potential life on Mars and its moons since 2003, deployed the lander. Contact with Beagle 2 was lost, and it was declared lost in February 2004 after no communication was received following its due landing date.

The film is co-produced by Big Talk Studios and Altitude, with development in association with BBC Film. Producers on the project include Mary Burke, Luke Alkin, Kenton Allen, Will Clarke, and Andy Mayson. A first-look image was released to mark the end of filming. The film will be released in UK and Irish cinemas with an exact date yet to be announced.