Ryan Gosling is back in space with Project Hail Mary, an ambitious adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Set for a March 20 release, this film promises an exciting journey filled with cosmic challenges and emotional depth.
‘Project Hail Mary’: Everything to Know About Ryan Gosling’s Return Trip to Space
Former First Man Ryan Gosling is set to embark on another journey to outer space. Seven years after his acclaimed portrayal of astronaut Neil Armstrong in Damien Chazelle‘s Oscar-nominated biopic, the actor headlines Project Hail Mary under the direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
The Release Date
Scheduled for release on March 20, Project Hail Mary is based on a 2021 novel by The Martian author Andy Weir. This film is one of the most ambitious and effects-heavy projects yet from Amazon MGM Studios. The studio showcased early footage at CinemaCon in April, highlighting it as a key attraction in its 2026 lineup, which will premiere in theaters before streaming on Prime Video.
The Storyline
Weir’s near-future narrative follows Ryland Grace, who transitions from a middle school science teacher to humanity’s last hope. With the sun’s rays unexpectedly set to diminish millennia ahead of schedule, Earth faces the threat of another Ice Age. Grace is forcibly recruited to journey into space to find a solution, encountering an extraterrestrial on a parallel rescue mission.
The Creative Team
The screenplay for Project Hail Mary has been adapted by Drew Goddard, who previously collaborated with Ridley Scott and Matt Damon on The Martian, a top-grossing film in 2015 with seven Oscar nominations. The film rights were acquired for a reported $3 million before the book’s release, remaining with the studio post-merger.
Behind the Scenes
Lord and Miller joined Project Hail Mary in 2020, navigating its extensive development process. Like Gosling, this marks their second venture into space, although this film promises a more uplifting conclusion. At CinemaCon, they noted that Gosling served as the gravitational force that attracted them to the project, praising his performance as iconic and emotionally resonant. They also highlighted the alien co-star, dubbed “Rocky,” as the most endearing extraterrestrial since E.T.
See More ...
What’s Next from Amazon MGM
Amazon MGM’s CinemaCon presentation underscored its commitment to theatrical releases, with Project Hail Mary exemplifying this strategy. Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and MGM Studios, emphasized the importance of delivering diverse entertainment experiences, including the communal atmosphere of theaters.
Following Project Hail Mary, audiences can anticipate titles like Masters of the Universe, Verity starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, and Crime 101 featuring Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry. Additionally, a teaser trailer for the next chapter of the James Bond series will be unveiled, with Denis Villeneuve at the helm, promising to leave audiences both shaken and stirred.
