Project Hail Mary Trailer: Ryan Gosling, a Dying Sun, and a Possibly Friendly Alien
MGM has released the first trailer for Project Hail Mary, and it's already turning heads — not just among sci-fi fans, but anyone interested in seeing Ryan Gosling stuck alone in space, cracking jokes, and maybe befriending a mysterious alien.
The film is based on Andy Weir's 2021 novel of the same name — the same Andy Weir who wrote The Martian. That alone brings expectations, and the trailer's reception suggests the hype is very real. YouTube comments under MGM's upload are flooded with excitement, particularly from fans of the book who seem thrilled with what they're seeing.
Gosling plays Ryland Grace, a former science teacher who wakes up from a coma alone on a spaceship — with no memory, no crew, and one big problem: the sun is dying.
What we know so far:
- Release date: March 20, 2026
- Director: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, 21 Jump Street)
- Screenwriter: Drew Goddard, who also wrote The Martian screenplay
Cast includes:
- Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace
- Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) as mission leader Eva Stratt
- Lionel Boyce (The Bear)
- Ken Leung (Industry)
The setup is classic Weir: a reluctant hero using science, sarcasm, and survival instincts to save humanity — this time by figuring out why one nearby star system, Tau Ceti, hasn't been affected by the mysterious cosmic phenomenon killing every other sun. If Grace can solve the puzzle, Earth might have a shot.
What sets Project Hail Mary apart from The Martian, though, is the alien. While the trailer avoids giving away too much, fans of the book already know about "Rocky," the non-human character who becomes central to the plot. The comments section makes it clear: this relationship is what people are most excited to see brought to the screen.
Gosling brings his usual dry wit to the role, and early glimpses suggest the film will carry the same mix of tension and humor that made The Martian such a hit. The involvement of Drew Goddard again as screenwriter only reinforces that comparison — not to mention the pairing of action and charm that Lord and Miller typically bring to their work.
Project Hail Mary is one of MGM's biggest upcoming releases, and judging by this trailer's reception, it could be a major sci-fi event when it hits theaters next spring.