Project Hail Mary sends Ryan Gosling and Comic Con into outer space

Ryan Gosling Embarks on a Space‑Borne Voyage in the Adaptation of “Project Hail Mary”

“Project Hail Mary” reimagines the 2021 novel by Andy Weir as a cinematic odyssey that greets audiences in March 2026. The film follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) – a science teacher awakened to a clandestine mission that seeks to rescue Earth from an imminent solar catastrophe.

Panel Highlights and Creative Dialogue

• Director pair Christopher Miller and Phil Lord convened with screenwriter Drew Goddard and book author Andy Weir during a Comic‑Con panel.
• Gosling described his character as “a scared guy who has to do something impossible,” noting the film’s blend of humor and poignancy.
• Weir praised Gosling for layering complexity into the character, thrilled by the story’s translation to film.

Behind‑the‑Scenes Production Techniques

Miller asserted that constructing the spaceship required adapting the set to two gravity modes, while also producing a monumental 30‑meter tunnel that occupied the entire stage. The duo highlighted the challenge of filming a “crazy ambitious” work predominantly inside the vessel.

Audience Reactions and Character Bonding

The audience welcomed the relationship between Grace and an alien named Rocky, which the film’s core narrative emphasizes. Attendee April Rodriguez, who also read the book, expressed her excitement:

“I just never envisioned it that way. So that was pretty cool.”

Star Trek Universe Spotlight at Comic‑Con

Comic‑Con’s main stage also showcased upcoming Star Trek releases, drawing about 130,000 attendees in San Diego. Fans received exclusive footage from the fourth season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” before its Paramount+ premiere.

Creative Footage and New Series Introductions

• Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) was featured in a puppet‑styled episode, revealing the show’s imaginative puppetry approach from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
• The convention previewed “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy”, starring Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake – a dual role that blends captaincy with academic leadership.

Hunter’s Perspective on Role Duality

Hunter noted the “wonderful combination of things” that arise from managing emergency protocols while guiding a new cadet cohort. She emphasized the importance of empathy and delegation in her leadership portrayal.

Comic‑Con Continues on Sunday

The convention concluded its final day of events on Sunday, concluding a weekend of fan‑facing theatrical previews and interactive dialogues.