Project Hail Mary Trailer Revealed: Ryan Gosling's Sci-Fi Epic Set to Launch in 2026
The first trailer for "Project Hail Mary," the adaptation of Andy Weir's bestselling novel, landed on June 25, 2025. With a cast led by Ryan Gosling and a story that mixes hard science with emotional depth, the March 2026 release is already shaping up to be one of next year's most talked-about sci-fi films.
Here's the TL;DR...
The 2-minute, 30-second trailer dropped June 25, 2025, offering a first look at the adaptation of Andy Weir's acclaimed novel.
The film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, and Milana Vayntrub, with direction by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Set for theatrical release on March 20, 2026, the movie focuses on a lone astronaut's mission to save Earth.
Trailer and Plot Summary
The trailer opens on a haunting image: the Hail Mary spacecraft drifting alone through deep space. Inside, Ryland Grace (Gosling) wakes up with no memory of who he is or what he’s doing there. Flashbacks gradually reveal Earth’s dire crisis—a mysterious microbe is dimming the sun, and Grace may be humanity's last hope.
As he regains pieces of his past, the trailer teases Grace's transformation from a middle school science teacher to an unlikely astronaut. His mission? Solve the crisis threatening Earth. In a stunning reveal, the trailer also shows his first contact with an alien lifeform, dubbed Rocky, suggesting an interspecies alliance is at the heart of the story.
Visually, the trailer leans into awe: zero-gravity sequences, alien worlds, and the lonely silence of space. It ends with a moment of tension and connection between Grace and Rocky, set against the tagline: "Sometimes, the only way to save the world is to leave it behind."
Cast and Crew
Ryan Gosling headlines as Ryland Grace, delivering both charm and gravity to a role that hinges on memory loss, isolation, and scientific problem-solving. Sandra Hüller plays a major supporting role as Eva Stratt, Ryland's superior and a vital asset to the Hail Mary project.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller bring their proven blend of heart and humor from projects like The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street. The screenplay is by Drew Goddard, who previously adapted Andy Weir's The Martian and is known for translating science-heavy stories into cinematic experiences.
Reactions to the Trailer and Book Reception
Early response to the trailer has been positive. On Reddit, the r/movies subreddit saw multiple threads discussing the visuals, with one post collecting over 500 upvotes praising its zero-gravity realism. On X, #ProjectHailMaryTrailer trended shortly after the release.
Critics, including The Hollywood Reporter, noted the strong fan response and drew comparisons to Interstellar. However, some longtime readers raised concerns about whether the film would preserve the novel's scientific detail, a concern echoed in Yahoo Canada News's coverage.
Andy Weir’s novel, released in 2021, debuted at number three on The New York Times Best Seller list and stayed there for nine weeks. It later claimed the top spot on the Audio Fiction Best Seller list in early 2022. The Washington Post's review praised its scientific rigor and character-driven storytelling but critiqued some technical oversights. Locus Magazine commended the book’s divergence from The Martian, even as it leaned into Weir's science-forward voice.
Conclusion
Project Hail Mary is shaping up to be one of 2026's biggest sci-fi releases. With Ryan Gosling at the helm, a visionary directing duo, and a story that balances isolation, scientific exploration, and emotional stakes, the stage is set for a potentially genre-defining film.
Whether the movie lives up to the novel remains to be seen, but if the trailer is any indication, this cinematic mission is headed in the right direction.
Sources:
Yahoo Canada News, "Project Hail Mary trailer: Ryan Gosling leads star-studded cast in sci-fi epic," June 25, 2025
Reddit, r/movies, various threads from June 25, 2025
X (formerly Twitter), #ProjectHailMaryTrailer, June 25, 2025
The Hollywood Reporter, "Project Hail Mary Trailer Ignites Buzz for 2026 Release," June 25, 2025
The New York Times, "Best Sellers: Combined Print & E-Book Fiction," May 2021
The Washington Post, review by Mary Robinette Kowal, 2021
Wikipedia, "Project Hail Mary," accessed June 30, 2025
Locus Magazine, review of Project Hail Mary, 2021
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on June 30, 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.