Ryan Gosling plays a middle school science teacher turned astronaut in the upcoming sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary. The film is based on Andy Weir’s bestselling 2021 novel and is set to hit theaters on March 20, 2026.
The story follows Gosling’s character Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of his mission. He soon discovers he’s the only hope to save Earth from a dying sun. The movie combines science, humor and an unlikely friendship with an alien.
What Is Project Hail Mary About?
Project Hail Mary tells the story of Ryland Grace, a molecular biologist who becomes a middle school science teacher. His quiet life changes when he’s sent on a dangerous space mission to save humanity.
The sun and other stars are mysteriously losing energy. Earth faces extinction unless someone can find a solution. Grace is chosen for this nearly impossible task because of his scientific knowledge.
He wakes up alone on the spaceship Hail Mary, 11.9 light-years from Earth. With no memory of his mission at first, he must piece together why he’s there and how to complete it. Along the way, he meets an alien being who becomes his unexpected partner.
“I put the ‘not’ in ‘astronaut!’ I’ve never done anything space-related – I can’t even moonwalk!” Gosling’s character jokes in the trailer about his lack of experience.
The film mixes serious science with humor, much like Weir’s previous book The Martian, which became a hit movie starring Matt Damon.
Who Is in the Project Hail Mary Cast?
Ryan Gosling leads the cast as Ryland Grace. The Oscar-nominated actor recently starred in Barbie and The Fall Guy. He also played astronaut Neil Armstrong in First Man.
Sandra Hüller plays Eva Stratt, Grace’s superior who convinces him to take the mission. Hüller received an Oscar nomination for Anatomy of a Fall.
Milana Vayntrub joins the cast as Olesya Ilyukhina. She’s known for her role in This Is Us.
Other cast members include:
- Lionel Boyce from The Bear
- Ken Leung from Industry
- Liz Kingsman
- James Ortiz
- James Wright
Behind the Scenes of the Space Adventure
The film is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the Oscar-winning duo behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie. They last directed a live-action movie with 2014’s 22 Jump Street.
Drew Goddard wrote the screenplay. He also adapted Weir’s The Martian for the big screen. Goddard’s experience with science-heavy stories makes him a perfect fit for this project.
“It’s an insanely ambitious story, massive in scope,” Gosling said about the film at CinemaCon. “Literally, we tried to put it on a TV once, it wouldn’t fit.”
The cinematography comes from Greig Fraser, who shot Dune and The Batman. His work will help create the film’s space visuals.
Production companies involved include:
- Pascal Pictures
- Lord Miller Productions
- Waypoint Entertainment
How Project Hail Mary Connects to The Martian
Both Project Hail Mary and The Martian come from Andy Weir’s books. They share similar themes of science and survival in space, mixed with humor.
While The Martian focused on one man stranded on Mars, Project Hail Mary has higher stakes – saving all life on Earth. Both stories show characters using science to solve impossible problems.
Drew Goddard wrote both screenplays, ensuring a consistent tone. Like Matt Damon in The Martian, Gosling carries much of the film alone before meeting his alien companion.
What We Know About the Alien Character
One of the most anticipated parts of the movie is Grace’s meeting with an alien being. In the book, this character plays a major role in the story.
The trailer gives a hint of their relationship with Gosling’s funny line:
“So I met an alien. He’s kinda growing on me. At least he’s not growing IN me, which was a concern for a little while.”
The alien, named Rocky in the book, comes from another species also facing the star-dimming problem. Their teamwork becomes key to solving the crisis.
Production Details and Release Plans
Filming took place in the United Kingdom from June to October 2024. Amazon MGM Studios will release the film in the U.S., while Sony handles international distribution.
The movie will be shown in IMAX theaters, taking advantage of its space visuals. It’s one of 14 films Amazon MGM plans to release in 2026.
At CinemaCon, the filmmakers showed early footage that got positive reactions. The trailer uses Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” as its soundtrack.
Why This Story Appeals to Audiences
Space survival stories have always been popular, from The Martian to Gravity. Project Hail Mary adds the new element of first contact with alien life.
The mix of hard science with humor makes Weir’s stories accessible. Gosling’s charm should help ground the technical aspects in human emotion.
With Lord and Miller directing, expect creative visuals and pacing. Their work on Spider-Verse shows they can balance action, humor and heart.
Also Read: Ryan Gosling Jokes About Space Skills Introducing ‘Project Hail Mary’ Trailer
The March 2026 release date puts it in prime position for both audiences and awards season consideration if well-received.
