Sam Rotibi Talks Nat Geo's Mars, Going To Space, And Batman v. Superman

National Geographic has launched an all new interstellar program called Mars. The unique new [...]

By Brandon Davis

National Geographic has launched an all new interstellar program called Mars.

The unique new series tells a story in two formats: a present-day documentary featuring scientists bent on getting human life to the red planet and a fictional take on 2033's adventure to Mars.

Among the characters sent to the new frontier is Sammi Rotibi's Robert Foucalt, a brilliant engineer and family man. If Rotibi's name or face look familiar, it's because he has a history of minor roles in major films. It's about time he earned some spotlight in the epic new tale being told on Nat Geo. Rotibi's work extends to Django Unchained, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Tears of the Sun, among other well known productions.

ComicBook.com caught up with Rotibi to discuss the epic new space saga unfolding on television, as well as how his experience with the show compares to his time in the DC Films universe.

Rotibi Mars

ComicBook.com: Your Robert Foucalt character, obviously, a brilliant, brilliant man. How much research did you have to do to be able to hone in on this role?

Sammi Rotibi: National Geographic, they really gave us as much information as possible. That's, for me, that's what I need as an actor. Like, Dr. Bobby Braun, who is an astrophysicist, I believe, he was one of our advisors. Also, Dr. Mae Jemison, who was the first African-American female astronaut in space. She was on the Endeavour Shuttle in 1992. She was ... She actually took us to boot camp. They really helped us out a lot, there was ... I mean, Dr. Mae was on set at least a couple of weeks, taking us through the training boot camp. Just to help us understand the psychology of an astronaut and also what they go through during training. Dr. Bobby Braun kind of gave me the, you know, a little bit of science of it and logistical bi-characters as a mechanical engineer and roboticist.

But the most important thing for me was to find the human element of it. I think that's because I needed to connect with this character of Robert Foucault. I think the human element is what the audience is really going to connect to. Also, of course you get the [inaudible 00:02:14] with the people that, you know, give you the basis of the science of what's going on, as far as going to Mars. But I needed people to connect with my character, connect with what he's going through, and being on this mission, and what it's like, you know. Yeah, that's what always I do with every character that I play.

CB: With how much you've learned and how much you've connected with this character, after knowing all of that now, would you consider going on a mission like this ever in real life?

SR: In real life? (Chuckles) I'm not an astronaut, so that's kind of a tough question. I mean, at some point ... They're estimating like probably by, you know, 2035. Possibly, maybe 20 ... Before that going to Mars. I ... Look, with everything that's going on in the world right now, why not? You know, I'd give it a shot. As long as there's a return trip back to Earth. You know what I'm saying?

So yeah, I would give it a shot. That's part of exploration. It's part of my DNA. Why not? I would love to go see what Mars is all about. I would.

CB: With all these things you've learned and all this training you've been able to do, it seems like for so many people this would be like a dream come true. Growing up to be an astronaut is something a lot of people dream of. In a way you're kind of doing that. What would you say is the most interesting thing you have learned on this journey so far, from all these people you've had the chance to work with?

SR: It's just got to be in the knowledge of Mars, you know, going to Mars. Could you believe Mars has 687 days, twice as many as Earth. On Earth, we have 365 days a year and Mars has 687 days. So, you actually get more time per year on Mars. A day is like 39 minutes and 25 seconds longer than Earth. It's just amazing science and stuff that I'm learning. I took science when I was a kid, but I never really knew much about Mars.

When I was a kid I wanted to be an aeronautic engineer. I wanted to fix and fly planes. And now, coming full circle, as an adult, being an actor getting to play an astronaut going to Mars on a show is just amazing. I'm learning so much. I'm not just saying this because I'm involved in it, but this is actually one of the best new scripts I've read. To be a part of it and also working with producers like Ron Howard and Brian Grazer is just a cherry on top.

A part from National Geographic channel which for me as a kid was like the window to science and the world. The yellow rectangular sign. Now National Geographic channel, I believe it's their fifteen year anniversary, and launching a show like Mars, it's just amazing; I'm blessed to be a part of it.

CB: Very cool. With this show you guys deal with some very serious topics. I mean you wasted no time in the second episode to doing things like operating on characters, and the scenes like that are very intense. What types of themes and events can you tease that are coming up in the show?

SR: Get ready for a ride! I can't tell you, you're going to have to watch it now. We just aired episode three and you haven't even gotten to it, you just saw two. So what I would say is get ready for an amazing ride. There's going to be a lot. Then also you get to know a couple of the characters on this show, a couple of the astronauts slowly. I think more in season two they're going to flush out the characters. But from this first season, I think you're starting to get a little bit more insight into some of the other characters and how they're feeling, and their relationships with each other, and stuff like that. But there's still more crazy ride coming down the road, I'm telling you.

CB: Well ,we're ComicBook.com so everybody likes to talk about superheroes here, and I was wondering your opinion on how working on Mars compares to your time on Batman vs. Superman?

SR: [Batman v. Superman] was great. I mean it was totally two different characters. Working with Zack Snyder on Batman vs. Superman during the D.C. comic movie, that's huge, it's humongous, it's amazing. But also in the same sense working on Mars with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer and they're very good as directors, I'm just living the dream. I'm so excited. It's great characters and great stories, you know, one is D.C. comics and now this is that, and we talk about Mars which is something that's being talked about. It's going on. This preparation to go to Mars -- this is reality. It's not only fiction. But the documentary gives you some stages for what the scientists are planning, what they're doing right now. So I'm really excited. For me it's part of change. So, I've done the D.C. comics, now I'm being part of reality and possibility of something that's going to be an amazing feat.

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Mars airs Monday at 9 p.m. ET on National Georgraphic.

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