1 of 7
In the new film version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Martin Freeman (left) takes the role of Arthur Dent that Simon Jones (right) played in the 1981 BBC TV series.

2 of 7
The role of Arthur's friend Ford Prefect, played in the original TV show by David Dixon (left), is now played by US rapper Mos Def (right) - real name Dante Terrell Smith.

3 of 7
Two heads are better than one for galactic traveller Zaphod Beeblebrox, first played by Mark Wing-Davey (left) and now brought back to life by Sam Rockwell (right).

4 of 7
Zooey Deschanel (left) inherits the role of astrophysicist Tricia McMillan - 'Trillian' - from Sandra Dickinson (right).

5 of 7
Back in 1981 Stephen Moore supplied the voice for Marvin the Paranoid Android (left). But it's Alan Rickman who provides the lugubrious vocals for his 2005 incarnation (right).

6 of 7
Richard Vernon (left) played planet designer Slartibartfast in the small-screen original. His role has now gone to two-time Bafta winner Bill Nighy (right).

7 of 7
The new film's Vogon Captain, portrayed by Martin Benson in 1981, is a puppet creation designed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop (right).