Jessica Chastain has revealed Anne Hathaway has given her tips on playing an astronaut in her next film.

The two actresses walked a blue, star-spangled carpet in London’s Leicester Square at the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s new space epic Interstellar, in which they star with Matthew McConaughey and Sir Michael Caine. The film is about mankind’s search for a new planet to live on after the Earth becomes inhabitable.

Hathaway and McConaughey’s characters go on a mission into space while Chastain plays a scientist who stays at home.

Chastain, who wore a pink Yves Saint Laurent gown, said: “I loved my character so much and I wouldn’t have traded her for anything. And to me the heart of the film is about the powerful bonds of love, and my character got to participate in that, so for me that was very exciting.

“Having said that though, my next film – I’m going to go play an astronaut! So Annie gave me some advice about what to do with the space suit and everything.”

Chastain is about to begin working with Ridley Scott and Matt Damon on The Martian.

Meanwhile, Hathaway, who wore a chainmail dress by Wes Gordon, revealed she could not travel into space without music.

Asked what luxury she would take into space she said: “I’d take the best sound system I could buy. I would need some music.

“I’m a big Patti Smith fan so I’d listen to her a lot and really get inside those lyrics.”

McConaughey, who was accompanied by his wife Camila Alves, said all audiences can still relate to the family bonds his character has, despite being a space traveller.

He said: “The whole hook where everyone will be able to understand this film on an emotional level is – everyone’s had to say goodbye. To a father or their kid. Sometimes that’s a first day at school, sometimes that’s when dad goes off to work. This is the most extreme circumstances of that. And it’s also about keeping a promise to your child.”