Cast:

• Jena Malone Young Ellie
• David Morse Ted Arroway
• Jodie Foster Eleanor Arroway
• Geoffrey Blake Fisher
• William Fichtner Kent
• Sami Chester Vernon
• Timothy McNeil Davio
• Laura Elena Surillo Cantina Woman
• Matthew McConaughey Palmer Joss
• Tom Skerritt David Drumlin
• Henry Strozier Minister
• Michael Chaban Hadden Suit
• Max Martini Willie
• Larry King Himself
• Thomas Garner Ian Broderick
• Conroy Chino KOB-TV Reporter
• Dan Gifford Jeremy Roth
• James Woods Michael Kitz
• Vance Valencia Senator Valencia
• Angela Bassett Rachel Constantine
• Donna J. Kelley Herself
• Leon Harris Himself
• Claire Shipman Herself
• Behrooz Afrakhan Middle Eastern Anchor
• Saemi Nakamura Japanese Anchor
• Maria Celeste Arraras Latina Anchor
• Tabitha Soren Herself
• Geraldo Rivera Himself
• Ian Whitcomb British Anchor
• Jay Leno Himself
• Natalie Allen Herself
• Robert D. Novak Himself
• Geraldine A. Ferraro Herself
• Ann Druyan Herself
• Rob Lowe Richard Rank
• Jake Busey Joseph
• Kathleen Kennedy Herself
• Michael Albala Decryption Hacker
• Ned Netterville Decryption Expert
• Leo Lee Major Domo
• John Hurt S.R. Hadden
• William Jordan Chairman of Joint Chiefs
• David St. James Joint Chief
• Jill Dougherty Herself
• Haynes Brooke Drumlin Aide
• John Holliman Himself
• Bobbie Battista Herself
• Dee Dee Myers Herself
• Bryant Gumbel Himself
• Linden Soles Himself
• Steven Ford Major Russell
• Alexander Zemeckis Major Russell's Son
• Janie Peterson Major Russell's Daughter
• Philippe Bergeron French Committee Member
• Jennifer Balgobin Dr. Patel
• Anthony Hamilton British Committee Member
• Rebecca T. Beucler NASA Public Relations
• Marc Macaulay NASA Technician
• Pamela Wilsey Voice of NASA
• Tucker Smallwood Mission Director
• Jeff Johnson Mechnical
• Yuji Okumoto Electrical
• Gerry Griffin Dynamics
• Brian Alston Communications
• Rob Elk Pad Leader
• Mark Thomason Security
• José Rey Controller #8
• Todd Patrick Breaugh New VLA Technician
• Alex Veadov Russian Cosmonaut
• Alice Kushida Scientist
• Robin Gammell Project Official
• Richardson Morse Mission Doctor
• Seiji Okamura Japanese Ensign
• Bernard Shaw Himself
• Mak Takano Japanese Tech #1
• Hiroshi Tom Tanaka Japanese Tech #2
• Catherine Dao Life Support
• Kristoffer Ryan Winters Dynamics #2
• Valorie Armstrong Woman Senator
• Jim Hild Reporter #5
• Bill Thomas Reporter #6
• Diego Montoya School Boy
• Jonathan Adler White House Official
• Robert Aguilar Jr. NASA Controller #2
• Neil Armstrong Himself / Voice Through Space
• Mark Bailey Four-Star General
• Matt Bennett Senate Observer
• Christopher Boyer Scientist
• Aixa Clemente President's Secretary
• Bill Clinton Himself
• Candice Cook Supporter
• Derrick Damions Ailing Believer
• Russell Darling Protestor
• Pamela Fischer Pedestrian
• Carl Gilliard Controller
• Adolf Hitler Himself
• William B. Kaplan TV Interviewer
• Martin Luther King Himself / Voice Through Space
• Sunshine Logroño Puerto Rican Taxi Driver
• Douglas MacArthur Himself / Voice Through Space
• Neal Matarazzo Kitz's Aide
• Joseph McCarthy Himself - Voice Through Space
• Lo Ming Pod Systems Control
• Richard Nixon Himself - Voice through space
• Paul L. Nolan Ellie's Attorney
• Marisa Petroro Oval Office Secretary
• J.A. Preston Senator
• Frank Principe Ailing Believer
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Himself / Voice Through Space
• Russell Sanderlin Sr. Photographer
• Frank Silva Army Officer
• Delaney Williams Believer #1
• Walter Winchell Himself / Voice Through Space