Ryan Gosling Reluctantly Goes to Space to Save Earth in ‘Project Hail Mary’ Footage at CinemaCon

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Project Hail Mary got a soft launch at CinemaCon.

During Amazon MGM Studios’ CinemaCon presentation on Wednesday night at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the film by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller received significant attention, primarily due to the presence of megastar Ryan Gosling. The movie was given a prominent slot, opening the studios’ first presentation with a cold open featuring extended, exclusive footage that lasted several minutes. Following this, Lord, Miller, and Gosling took the stage to discuss their partnership.

In the vein of “The Martian” by Andy Weir, “Project Hail Mary” tells the story of Ryland Grace, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, a middle school science teacher who finds himself aboard a spaceship with no recollection of his past or how he arrived there. Tasked with completing an interstellar mission crucial for Earth’s survival, he must navigate this perilous journey alone until he encounters a mysterious extraterrestrial being, traveling light-years to save its own kind from the same impending doom. The novel was adapted for the screen by Drew Goddard.

As a passionate fan, I’m thrilled to share that Ryan Gosling will be sharing the screen with Sandra Hüller, who was nominated for an Oscar in Anatomy of a Fall. Not only is Gosling starring, but he’s also producing this film alongside Lord, Miller, Amy Pascal, Aditya Sood, Rachel O’Connor, and Weir. The executive producers are Patricia Whitcher, Drew Goddard, Sarah Esberg, Lucy Kitada, Nikki Baida, and Ken Kao. Can’t wait to see this collaboration unfold!

The video, set to Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times,” initially shows Gosling as a school teacher surrounded by children. Hüller’s character then approaches him with an urgent message about Earth and the galaxy being in peril. Despite this, he nonchalantly states that he rides a bike to work and feels unfit for the top-secret mission, suggesting there must be others more qualified.

As I’m being pushed into the back of a sleek black SUV against my will, it feels like I can’t escape this fate. Back at the mission’s base, Ryan Gosling’s character struggles once more to decline the offer, but Hüller’s warnings grow increasingly insistent. “It’s not just the sun that’s dying,” she warns me. “There seems to be a spreading infection.

To prevent extinction across all planets and save everyone involved, a space mission demands a brave individual to journey into the cosmos to resolve a catastrophic situation. “If this doesn’t work,” she warns, “everything here will perish,” underscoring the high-risk nature of the endeavor, which might not guarantee a return for the volunteer, unless it miraculously succeeds. However, despite her repeated pleas, Grace refuses to take on the mission. “Who would be willing to do this?” Gosling’s character questions. “I’m no astronaut,” he admits.

Later, Gosling utters some phrases that quickly become popular: “I lack the element for being an astronaut,” “I’m incapable of performing a moonwalk,” and “Some individuals struggle with skills. You possess the necessary qualities. I possess the inappropriate traits.”

Gosling then shares a set of witty sayings that gain traction: “I’m not cut out to be an astronaut,” “I can’t pull off a moonwalk,” and “Some people aren’t good at things. You have what it takes. I have the wrong stuff.”

Or for a more conversational tone:

Gosling then comes out with some catchy lines: “Guess I’m not an astronaut material,” “I can’t do that moonwalk thing,” and “Some people just aren’t good at stuff. You got what it takes, I don’t.

Following the video playback, the three performers made their way onto the stage to tantalize the audience with a sneak peek of what’s next. They successfully won over the packed house with their clever conversation.

Gosling initiated the discussion by sharing that their team was captivated by a book written by Andy Weir before it was even published, and as it turned out, the world felt the same way. The story they’re working on is incredibly ambitious in scale, challenging to bring to life, but that’s right up our alley.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share my excitement over a statement by Miller: “This project represents the most daunting challenge we’ve ever faced in our filmmaking journey.” Kudos to Gosling, hailed as the “outstanding actor of his generation,” for delivering an unforgettable, humorous, and courageous performance that serves as the backbone of this remarkable production. In a moment of clever banter, Gosling himself acknowledged the delight he had working with Miller and Lord, who possess a unique vision, despite being a duo. They are content only when they manage to elicit the rarest and most sought-after reaction: the laugh-cry from their audience.

To be completely honest, I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection to the character I played. The transformation he undergoes is truly captivating, and that’s exactly why I believe people go to the movies. It’s not just empty praise because I’m also one of the producers for this project.

Back in early 2020, I heard the exciting news that Ryan Gosling would be starring and producing a project – this tidbit dropped nearly a year before Random House published the novel it’s based on! At that time, MGM had Michael De Luca at the helm, before Amazon took over the studio.

On March 20, 2026, the movie titled “Project Hail Mary” is scheduled to release, bringing back the Academy Award-nominated actor who portrayed Neil Armstrong in Damien Chazelle’s film “First Man“, into space once more.

Each spring, CinemaCon – an annual event where cinema owners and Hollywood studios convene – takes place in Las Vegas. Previously known as the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), this organization has recently undergone a rebranding and is now called Cinema United. This year’s event will take place from March 31 to April 3.

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2025-04-03 06:54