Ryan Gosling just traded in his Ken dreamhouse for a lonely spacecraft 12 light-years from Earth. Project Hail Mary, hitting theaters March 20, 2026, reunites The Martian author Andy Weir with screenwriter Drew Goddard for another cosmic survival story—but this time with an adorable five-legged alien named Rocky. Here’s your complete guide to the stellar cast bringing humanity’s last hope to life.
Table of Contents
Gosling Project Hail Mary Essential Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | March 20, 2026 (US theaters & IMAX) |
| Directors | Phil Lord & Christopher Miller |
| Screenwriter | Drew Goddard (The Martian) |
| Based On | Andy Weir’s 2021 bestselling novel |
| Studio | Amazon MGM Studios |
| International Distribution | Sony Pictures Releasing |
| Trailer Views | 400M in first week (non-sequel/remake record) |
| Runtime | TBA (estimated 2+ hours) |
Ryan Gosling as Dr. Ryland Grace: The Reluctant Hero
Ryan Gosling leads as Dr. Ryland Grace, a molecular biologist-turned-middle school science teacher who awakens alone on a spacecraft with no memory of his identity or mission. As his fragmented memories return, he discovers he’s humanity’s sole surviving astronaut sent to the Tau Ceti system—12 light-years from Earth—on a desperate mission to prevent an extinction-level energy crisis.
At Comic-Con, Gosling joked about connecting with Grace’s reluctance, calling him an ordinary person in an extraordinary situation who’s appropriately terrified. This marks another space adventure for the actor who previously played Neil Armstrong in First Man and is currently filming Star Wars: Starfighter.
Beyond blockbusters, Gosling co-owns Tagine, a Moroccan restaurant in Beverly Hills, and actively supports humanitarian causes worldwide.
Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt: The Iron-Willed Commander
Sandra Hüller stars as Eva Stratt, the commanding and uncompromising leader of the Hail Mary Project who receives urgent worldwide authority to organize the team and shape choices that affect humanity’s survival. Her decisive leadership becomes central to the plot through unwavering action when the world needs someone who’ll make impossible decisions.
The German actress gained global recognition for her stunning performances in Toni Erdmann, Anatomy of a Fall, and The Zone of Interest. Her casting brings gravitas and international appeal to this sci-fi adventure.
Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilyukhina: The Astronaut Partner
Milana Vayntrub plays Olesya Ilyukhina, an astronaut picked for the Hail Mary mission from the start, whose highly capable and focused nature adds depth to the portrayal of international teamwork. Her character represents the multinational cooperation required when humanity faces extinction.
You might recognize Vayntrub from her work in Bad Shabbos or as the AT&T commercial spokesperson, but this role showcases her dramatic range in a high-stakes space thriller.
Supporting Cast: The Mission Team
Ken Leung (Industry, Lost) plays a key role in the Hail Mary project’s operations. His proven ability to handle complex ensemble casts makes him perfect for this high-stakes narrative.
Lionel Boyce (The Bear) brings his dramatic chops to the project, adding emotional depth to the ground team supporting Grace’s impossible mission.
Liz Kingsman appears as Shapiro, one of the scientists working to solve the catastrophic solar crisis threatening Earth’s survival.
Orion Lee plays Xi, contributing to the international flavor of humanity’s last-ditch effort to prevent extinction.
James Ortiz as Rocky: The Breakout Star
Here’s where things get wild. Rocky is a groundbreaking alien and Grace’s unexpected companion who brings emotional depth and becomes key to the mission’s survival. This five-legged, rock-based extraterrestrial becomes Ryland’s unlikely friend after traveling light-years to save his own species from the same solar crisis threatening Earth.
James Ortiz provides the performance capture for this character who may become 2026’s most beloved alien since E.T. The second trailer reveals Rocky’s adorable design and his crucial role in humanity’s survival—a detail book fans worried would be spoiled, but the filmmakers felt audiences needed to know.
The Creative Dream Team Behind the Camera
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, 22 Jump Street) return to directing for the first time since their controversial Solo: A Star Wars Story firing in 2018. This marks their first completed directorial effort in 12 years.
Drew Goddard (The Martian, Bad Times at the El Royale) adapted Weir’s novel after successfully bringing The Martian to life for Ridley Scott a decade ago. His experience translating Weir’s technical sci-fi into crowd-pleasing cinema is invaluable.
Andy Weir, whose novel launched this project, serves as producer alongside Gosling, Amy Pascal, Aditya Sood, and Rachel O’Connor.
The Premise: What’s the Mission?
Astronaut Ryland Grace awakens on a spacecraft with no memory of himself or his mission, slowly deducing he is the sole survivor of a crew sent to the Tau Ceti solar system in search of a solution to a catastrophic event on Earth. A mysterious substance is causing the sun to die out, hurling Earth into an early Ice Age.
Grace must call on all his scientific training and ingenuity to reverse this extinction-level threat. The twist? He’s not as alone as he thinks when he encounters Rocky, an alien on an identical mission to save his own world.
Trailer Breaks Records
On July 9, 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced the first trailer was the most viewed trailer for any movie that was not a sequel or remake in its first week, accumulating 400 million global views. The second trailer, released November 18, 2025, features Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova” and further showcases the Grace-Rocky friendship that drives the story.
Production Design: Function Over Flash
Directors Lord and Miller emphasized their visual approach: the movie is a machine, not a Mac. They wanted functional beauty rather than pristine Apple Store aesthetics. The spacecraft and equipment look like real engineering—utilitarian tools built for survival, not Instagram.
Why This Could Be 2026’s Biggest Hit
The formula seems perfect: take The Martian’s sardonic humor and survival ingenuity, add an interstellar buddy-comedy element with Rocky, cast Ryan Gosling fresh off Barbie’s billion-dollar success, and let the directors behind The LEGO Movie craft the visuals. Book fans are already calling this a potential classic.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to read the book before watching Project Hail Mary?
No, the film is designed to work as a standalone experience. However, book fans should note that the second trailer reveals Rocky’s existence—something that was a major surprise in the novel around page 100. If you want the full book experience unspoiled, read it before watching any trailers. The movie adaptation by Drew Goddard follows the core plot while making adjustments for cinematic pacing.
Q: Will Project Hail Mary be available on streaming at launch?
No, Project Hail Mary will release exclusively in traditional theaters and IMAX on March 20, 2026. Despite Amazon MGM Studios producing the film, there’s no day-and-date streaming release planned. The movie will likely arrive on Amazon Prime Video several months after its theatrical run concludes, following the typical theatrical window model.
