Andy Weir, the author behind The Martian, is back on the big screen with another high-stakes space adventure—Project Hail Mary. This time, Ryan Gosling steps into the void, bringing humor, heart, and humanity to a story about saving not just Earth, but an entire solar system. The first trailer has landed, and it’s packed with sharp dialogue, cosmic tension, and a touch of the unexpected.
A Sci-Fi Adaptation with Serious Star Power
Project Hail Mary is based on Andy Weir’s 2021 bestselling novel of the same name. Known for turning hard science into page-turning drama, Weir’s work is practically made for Hollywood. His debut, The Martian, was a self-published hit turned Ridley Scott blockbuster, and Project Hail Mary looks primed to repeat that success—this time under the creative direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Lord and Miller, known for The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, team up once again with screenwriter Drew Goddard (The Martian) for this ambitious adaptation. The duo brings their signature mix of comedy and emotional resonance to the film, which hits theaters on March 20, 2026.
A Lone Man, a Dying Star, and a Galactic Gamble
At the center of the story is Ryland Grace, a mild-mannered middle school science teacher played by Ryan Gosling. He wakes up aboard a spaceship, disoriented, with no memory of how or why he got there. Slowly, it becomes clear: he’s humanity’s last hope to prevent a global catastrophe caused by a dying sun.
But unlike traditional save-the-world space operas, Project Hail Mary adds a twist: Grace is alone—and also suffering from amnesia. The trailer hints at layers of mystery and a gripping journey as he pieces together his past and mission. “The sun is not the only star dying,” warns a character played by Sandra Hüller in the film’s teaser. “If we do nothing, everything on this planet will go extinct.”
The Reluctant Hero and His Alien Ally
In a surprising pivot from The Martian’s grounded realism, Project Hail Mary introduces a new element: first contact. As Grace travels through deep space, he encounters a mysterious alien also trying to save his species. This interstellar alliance adds emotional depth and fresh narrative possibilities to the familiar “man alone in space” formula.
Initially reluctant to leave Earth, Grace resists the mission. “I understand the stakes — I do,” he says in the trailer. “But my place is in the classroom.” However, as the situation becomes increasingly dire, he rises to the challenge in true Weir protagonist fashion: with humor, ingenuity, and a lot of scientific problem-solving.
A Dream Team Behind the Scenes
This project marks Lord and Miller’s return to directing for the first time since 22 Jump Street in 2014. Though they were famously removed from Solo: A Star Wars Story, they’ve bounced back in spectacular fashion. Gosling himself praised the directors during the CinemaCon reveal, saying, “They are only happy if they make you do the very rare and coveted laugh-cry.”
Alongside Gosling, Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) and Milana Vayntrub also appear in the cast, suggesting a mix of emotional weight and comedic timing. Drew Goddard, no stranger to balancing science and heart, adapts the screenplay with his signature flair. Producers on the film include Gosling, Weir, Lord, Miller, Amy Pascal, Aditya Sood, and Rachel O’Connor.
The Trailer Promises A Nerdy, Emotional, Space Adventure
From the first glimpse, Project Hail Mary promises a thrilling ride. It blends big questions about survival and cooperation with the kind of smart, geeky problem-solving that made The Martian a hit. Add in Gosling’s charm and a potentially emotional alien friendship, and this movie looks set to deliver both spectacle and soul.
Fans of science fiction, smart storytelling, and space-based thrillers will want to mark their calendars. If the trailer is any indication, Project Hail Mary is more than just a sci-fi film—it’s a story about second chances, memory, and the strange places where we find hope.
