Ryan Gosling Wakes Up Light-Years From Earth in First Project Hail Mary
Ryan Gosling takes center stage in the first official trailer for Project Hail Mary, stepping into the role of Ryland Grace—a middle school science teacher turned reluctant astronaut who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of why he’s there.
Project Hail Mary (2026), Amazon MGM Studios
The trailer opens with Grace drifting through deep space, surrounded by silence and sterile machinery, as fragmented memories begin to return. Through flashbacks, we learn that Earth is facing a catastrophic crisis: the sun, along with nearby stars, is mysteriously dimming. Grace was chosen for a one-way mission to the Tau Ceti system—the only star unaffected—tasked with uncovering why, and finding a way to save humanity.
Tonally, the trailer blends suspense, science fiction, and grounded emotion. It teases classic Andy Weir themes—problem-solving under pressure, dry humor in the face of existential doom, and the lonely hero confronting impossible odds. And in the footage, it’s apparent that Gosling brings a layered performance to the role, capturing Grace’s mix of panic, awe, and reluctant resolve. The biggest surprise arrives toward the end of the trailer: Grace isn’t alone. He eventually encounters an alien named Rocky—an unexpected ally who shifts the dynamic from survival to interstellar friendship.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and written by Drew Goddard, Project Hail Mary is shaping up to be one of next year’s most anticipated (and eccentric) sci-fi films. With Gosling at the helm and a story that dares to mix star charts with heart, this might just be the next space epic worth orbiting around when it hits theaters on March 20, 2026.
Watch the trailer for Project Hail Mary below.
