PROJECT HAIL MARY (2026)

A multi-star cosmic discovery, a last-resort plan with infinite possibilities of failure, a disgraced scientist-turned-teacher at the helm, and an interstellar friendship forged at the brink of extinction.

Dr. Rylan Grace (Ryan Gosling), ostracized by the scientific community for publishing and defending his research paper that argues life doesn’t necessarily need water to evolve, is the most surprised person in our world when he learns he’s been unknowingly selected as the best candidate to help prevent a mysterious substance from killing our sun – and with it, the extinction of all life on Earth.

However, when he wakes up from a medically-induced space travel coma, alone, and with no memory of who he is or how he got light years away from Earth (memory loss being a ‘possible’ side effect of the coma) – the challenges change.

How can one mind save a star when it can’t even remember his own name?

Enter Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz), the extraterrestrial science-engineer who relies on echolocation to see and speak from another star system whose sun, and home planet, is also plagued by the same fate.

The relationship building between Grace and Rocky in Project Hail Mary (2026) is very reminiscent of the storytelling methods Steven Spielberg employed to build the relationship between Elliott and E.T. in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) through curiosity, wonder and discovery. Much of the same childlike innocence is presented in how both Grace and Rocky initially interact and overcome their fears and anxieties.

With communication barriers, Grace builds a translation program to translate Rocky’s language into English. It’s a pretty slow process building out a vocabulary from what would be closely described to whale sounds, but the real fun comes in determining ultimately which English voice Rocky approves of having. Once Ortiz’s voice comes through the speaker, it’s clear that Rocky has found his voice.

“It presents as a space adventure, a disaster movie, and then a third of the way through, it becomes an intimate character study between two individuals who have to learn how to communicate,” co-director Phil Lord says. “That shift is what makes it special.”

Co-director Christopher Miller adds: “What’s really interesting about this movie is that we don’t think of it as sci-fi. We think of it as a human story, a story about a relationship, about a friendship.”

Striking up a working relationship, the unlikely pair also develop a humorous and unshakable heart-warming cosmic friendship that restores not only Grace’s memory – but through it, the audience’s belief in humanity still being very capable of seeing beyond differences.

With unbelievable performances from Ryan Gosling (Dr. Rylan Grace), James Ortiz (Rocky) and Sandra Hüller (Eva Stratt) directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller with captivating cinematography by Greig Fraser (Dune: Part One ’21 and Dune: Part Two ’24)  and beautiful production design by Charles Wood (Guardians of the Galaxy ’14), my bets are that you’ll see quite a bit of action during the next awards season for Project Hail Mary (2026).

Adapted by Drew Goddard from the novel authored by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026), can be, and is, many things at once. Outside of being a sci-fi edge of your seat thrill ride space adventure it’s: hilarious, tragic, heart-warming, emotional, entertaining, and above all – it has hope.

Amaze. Amaze. Amaze. <statement>

Note:
Project Hail Mary (2026) celebrated its North American premiere in New York City, USA March 18th, 2026 following the film’s world premiere in London, England March 9th, 2026.
Amazon MGM Studios & Amazon MGM Studios Canada release the film theatrically in Canada and the USA March 20th, 2026.

Rocky (James Ortiz) communicates with Dr. Rylan Grace (Ryan Gosling) for the first time in the film Project Hail Mary (2026).
Film Still: Amazon MGM Studios © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC.

Dr. Rylan Grace (Ryan Gosling) communicates with Rocky (James Ortiz) for the first time in the film Project Hail Mary (2026).
Film Still: Amazon MGM Studios © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC.

Author Adam Weir on set during production of the film Project Hail Mary (2026).
Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley / Amazon Content Services LLC

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller on set during production of the film Project Hail Mary (2026).
Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley / Amazon Content Services LLC

Actor Ryan Gosling (Dr. Rylan Grace) on set during production of the film Project Hail Mary (2026).
Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley / Amazon Content Services LLC