Ryan Gosling’s New Sci-Fi Movie by Lord and Miller Gets Major Update

June 5, 20243 Mins Read

Author Andy Weir is getting another film adaptation of one of his novels, and the upcoming film starring Ryan Gosling has officially begun filming.

According to Collider, filming has begun on Project Hail Mary, an adaptation of Weir’s best-selling novel of the same name. The update came via director Christopher Miller’s X account. The official synopsis for the film reads, “Set in the near future, it centers on junior high (middle) school-teacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes up from a coma afflicted with amnesia. He gradually remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to find a means of reversing a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity.”

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The film, starring Gosling and Sandra Hüller, will be the second adaptation of Weir’s work, as his novel The Martian, was also adapted in 2015 by Ridley Scott. Lord and Miller, the duo behind the incredibly successful Spider-Verse films, are inspired choices to helm Project Hail Mary, as with The Martian, Weir’s work always has humor spread throughout, despite how dense the science in his books can be. Producing the film are Lord and Miller, Amy Pascal, Gosling, Aditya Sood, Rachel O’Connor, and Weir.

Adapting Weir’s Work Can Be Tricky

Weir is known for applying deep scientific knowledge to his novels, and is often praised by scientists who respect the effort he puts into it. His first book, The Martian, was lauded for its scientific accuracy, while keeping the reader engaged by humanizing the protagonist through humor. The original novel upon which the Matt Damon-led film was based, took place over a series of journal logs, documenting botanist Mark Watney’s efforts to survive on Mars. While the science may be dense, it’s the humor that makes his novels more accessible, rather than the heavy science fiction elements. The 2015 adaptation, chose smartly to rely on the comedic elements to carry the story, and did an admirable job in keeping a lot of the science from the book, in the film.

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Project Hail Mary is structured more traditionally, in chapter format and for about the first half of the novel, is more reminiscent of a thriller rather than a science fiction novel. The reader is kept guessing as to how the molecular biologist got into the situation in the first place, before all of the fun science fiction elements kick in. However, at the center of Project Hail Mary, is a unique bond that is formed that differentiates it from The Martian. This is what makes Weir’s latest novel stand apart from his previous novel, and will surely be the heart of the film as well.

Project Hail Mary has a set release date of Mar. 20, 2026.

Source: Collider