Robert Zemeckis Director, Producer Jodie Foster Eleanor Ann 'Ellie' Arroway Actor Matthew McConaughey Palmer Joss Actor James Woods Michael Kitz Actor John Hurt S.R. Hadden Actor Tom Skerritt David Drumlin Actor William Fichtner Kent Clark Actor David Morse Ted Arroway Actor Angela Bassett Rachel Constantine Actor Geoffrey Blake Fisher Actor Max Martini Willie Actor Rob Lowe Richard Rank Actor Jake Busey Joseph Actor Jena Malone Young Ellie Actor Tucker Smallwood Mission Director Actor Carl Sagan Writer James V. Hart Writer Michael Goldenberg Writer Joan Bradshaw Executive Producer Lynda Obst Executive Producer Steve Starkey Producer Don Burgess Cinematographer Arthur Schmidt Film Editing Alan Silvestri Original Music Ed Verreaux Production Design Bruce Crone Art Director Lawrence A. Hubbs Art Director Michael Taylor Set Decoration Joanna Johnston Costume Design Victoria Burrows Casting