Get ready for a journey to the stars! The highly anticipated first trailer for project Hail Mary, starring Academy Award nominee Ryan gosling, has officially landed. Based on the bestselling science fiction novel by Andy Weir (the author behind The Martian), the film promises a thrilling and unique blend of high-stakes space adventure, scientific puzzles, and unexpected humor. This initial look offers exciting glimpses of Gosling in a role unlike any he’s played before, tasked with a desperate mission to save Earth.
The trailer immediately throws viewers into deep space. We see Ryan Gosling’s character, Ryland Grace, waking up alone on a spaceship. He’s disoriented, sporting unusually long hair and a beard. It quickly becomes clear he has no memory of how he got there or what he’s supposed to do. His initial panicked realization? “I just woke up from a coma.” He repeats this line, grappling with his bizarre circumstances light-years away from home.
Ryland Grace: An Accidental Astronaut
One of the central premises highlighted in the trailer is Grace’s surprising lack of astronautical experience. Despite being on a critical space mission, he repeatedly emphasizes, “I’m not an astronaut.” Flashes show him making the same declaration before the mission began, underscoring his reluctance and unsuitability for typical space travel. As Gosling himself reportedly quipped, his character puts the “not” in astronaut and “can’t even moonwalk.”
The trailer pieces together Grace’s backstory. He was a middle school science teacher. However, he’s also a former scientist with a background in molecular biology. Earth faces an imminent, existential threat: the sun is mysteriously dimming and dying. This phenomenon is causing stars to fade across the galaxy. With time running out, Grace’s specific scientific knowledge makes him the government’s last hope. He’s deemed the only person potentially capable of understanding the crisis and finding a solution.
The High-Stakes Mission to Save Humanity
The mission is aptly named “Project Hail Mary.” This name reflects its incredibly slim chances of success. It’s a desperate, long-shot endeavor launched because all other options have failed. The trailer depicts Grace struggling to survive the immense challenges of deep space travel. He’s isolated, grappling with technical issues, and trying to communicate his findings back to Earth. This part of the preview emphasizes the perilous nature of his solitary journey.
Adding to the intrigue, the trailer teases a pivotal moment from the book: an encounter with an alien being. While the extraterrestrial companion isn’t fully revealed in this first look, book fans know this character is central to the story. This “bizarre alien,” as described in some reports, becomes an integral part of Grace’s mission. Their shared predicament in the vastness of space promises unique interactions and challenges.
Bringing Weir’s Vision to the Screen
Behind the camera, Project Hail Mary boasts an impressive creative team. The film is directed by the acclaimed duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Known for their innovative work on films like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Lego Movie, and the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, their involvement suggests a fresh, visually dynamic approach. Ryan Gosling noted that working with them involved aiming to make audiences “laugh-cry,” hinting at the emotional and humorous layers expected in the film.
The screenplay was penned by Drew Goddard. Goddard is no stranger to adapting Andy Weir’s work; he also wrote the script for the successful 2015 adaptation of The Martian. That film, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, was a critical and commercial hit, earning seven Oscar nominations. This connection bodes well for Project Hail Mary, suggesting a strong understanding of Weir’s blend of grounded science, thrilling plot, and relatable human struggle.
An Ambitious Cinematic Event
Ryan Gosling is not only starring in Project Hail Mary but also serves as a producer. Speaking about the film at CinemaCon, Gosling described it as an “insanely ambitious story that’s massive in scope.” He admitted it “seemed really hard to make,” framing that challenge as part of the project’s appeal. Gosling emphasized the film’s scale, stating, “This is why we go to the movies,” positioning it as a must-see cinematic event.
In addition to Gosling, the film features a talented supporting cast. Academy Award nominee Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest) plays a key role, reportedly helping convince Grace to undertake the mission. The cast also includes Liz Kingsman, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, James Wright, and Milana Vayntrub. This ensemble adds further depth to the highly anticipated production.
The trailer even features the soaring track “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles, adding a dramatic backdrop to Grace’s perilous journey and struggles for survival. The combination of a compelling story, a charismatic lead, seasoned directors, and a successful screenwriter makes Project Hail Mary one of the most anticipated films of 2026.
Release Date and Comparisons
Project Hail Mary is scheduled to hit theaters and IMAX screens on March 20, 2026. This places it among the early major releases of that year. Fans of Andy Weir’s novels or character-driven science fiction thrillers have marked their calendars.
The parallels to The Martian are undeniable. Both films are based on Weir’s books. Both were adapted by Drew Goddard. Both feature a lone protagonist facing an impossible scientific challenge in space, blending intelligence, resilience, and moments of levity. While The Martian focused on survival after being stranded, Project Hail Mary centers on an amnesiac awakening into a mission he doesn’t understand. This shared DNA highlights Weir’s unique voice in the genre and Goddard’s skill in bringing it to the screen. Given The Martian‘s success, expectations are high for Project Hail Mary to deliver a similarly engaging and scientifically thoughtful space adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘Project Hail Mary’ about?
Project Hail Mary is a science fiction film based on Andy Weir’s novel. It stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a former scientist turned middle school teacher. He wakes up on a spaceship with amnesia, discovering he is humanity’s last hope. His mission is to travel light-years away to find a solution to a mysterious phenomenon causing the sun and other stars to dim and die, threatening all life on Earth.
When is the ‘Project Hail Mary’ movie released?
The Project Hail Mary film is scheduled to be released in theaters and IMAX on March 20, 2026. The trailer, giving the first public look at the movie, premiered in June 2025. This date positions the film as a major release early in 2026, eagerly awaited by fans of the book and science fiction enthusiasts.
Is ‘Project Hail Mary’ connected to ‘The Martian’?
While Project Hail Mary and The Martian are not narratively connected, they share significant creative ties. Both films are adaptations of bestselling novels written by author Andy Weir. Additionally, the screenplay for both movies was written by Drew Goddard. They also share a similar genre, focusing on resourceful individuals facing challenging scientific problems in space, often with a blend of tension and humor.
Project Hail Mary promises an unforgettable cinematic journey. With its intriguing premise, talented cast led by Ryan Gosling, and acclaimed creative team, the film is set to deliver a captivating space epic when it arrives in March 2026. The trailer has ignited excitement, offering a compelling look at the desperate mission to save our world.
