Ryan Gosling explores the cosmos in the inaugural trailer for *Project Hail Mary*.
Helmed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (*Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse*), this forthcoming sci-fi feature draws inspiration from the Hugo-nominated novel by *The Martian* author Andy Weir. Ridley Scott’s film adaptation of *The Martian* garnered seven Academy Award nominations, including one for screenwriter Drew Goddard, who also penned the script for *Project Hail Mary*. Will this adaptation of Weir’s work receive similar recognition?
Like *The Martian*, *Project Hail Mary* centers on a man left alone in space. Nevertheless, in contrast to *The Martian*’s botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon), *Project Hail Mary*’s Ryland Grace (Gosling) did not choose to embark on his journey through space. He expresses in the film’s initial trailer, “I put the not in astronaut.”
So, how did Grace—a geeky middle school science teacher—end up in the most remote parts of the universe?
It all starts with an impending apocalypse. Our sun is fading, along with numerous stars across the galaxy — except one. Understanding why that particular star remains unaffected could be key to saving Earth. Enter Eva Stratt, administrator of the European Space Agency (*Anatomy of a Fall*’s Sandra Hüller), spearheading “Project Hail Mary,” humanity’s urgent mission for survival. She is assembling a crew to journey 11.9 light years to the star, and she has selected Grace for his expertise as a molecular biologist. According to her, he might be the only one capable of grasping what’s occurring with our sun. No pressure!
*Project Hail Mary*’s initial trailer teases Grace’s extraterrestrial escapade, showcasing his alarm upon regaining consciousness after a coma to his first venture outside in space. As if that wasn’t sufficient, he even encounters an alien! To witness Gosling’s first contact and more, check out the complete trailer above.
*Project Hail Mary* also stars Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub.
*Project Hail Mary* arrives in theaters on March 20.