SAN DIEGO (AP) — Comic-Con presented a captivating blend of excitement and anticipation at a panel for the forthcoming film "Project: Hail Mary." This film, which features Ryan Gosling in a lead role, combines elements of space adventure, scientific exploration, humor, and relationship drama.
During the panel, Ryan Gosling, sporting a trucker hat and flannel shirt, addressed an enthusiastic audience of more than 6,000 attendees at Hall H, Comic-Con's largest venue. The audience was treated to the opening five minutes along with several other unfinished scenes from the film, providing a sneak peek into its thrilling narrative, seven months before its scheduled release.
The early footage included an extended look at Rocky, a unique alien character who resembles a stone and serves as Gosling's mission partner in their quest to avert an ecological catastrophe affecting the universe. Phil Lord, who co-directed the film alongside Chris Miller, highlighted that the evolving relationship between Gosling’s character and Rocky embodies the film's central theme. Miller posed a thought-provoking question, asking, "If the universe depended on it, can adult men make friends?"
Rocky has already garnered a following among fans of Andy Weir's novel, from which the film is adapted, and is anticipated to become a popular choice for Comic-Con cosplay. When asked where Rocky would rank among his past on-screen relationships, Gosling refrained from commenting, suggesting it was premature to decide.
Weir himself participated in the panel and humorously noted the transition from "Emma Stone, to person of stone," referencing Gosling's past co-star. The screenplay for "Project: Hail Mary" was penned by Drew Goddard, who previously worked on the successful film "The Martian," also based on Weir's written work. Gosling expressed his eagerness to join the project immediately after reading the manuscript, complimenting Weir as "the greatest sci-fi mind of our time." He reflected on how the story transported him to uncharted territories, describing it as both heartbreaking and humorous.
In the film, Gosling plays Ryland Grace, a middle school teacher and underachiever unexpectedly thrust into a life-altering mission. Gosling shared, "I connect to his reluctance. Aside from the fact that he has a doctorate in molecular biology, he’s quite an ordinary person." Ryland Grace's character arc, filled with dread and disbelief, resonates deeply as he confronts his monumental task in space.
The film opens with a disoriented, amnesiac version of Gosling awakening in a pod, confused and dazed. He navigates through the seemingly abandoned space, discovering others who are unfortunately deceased. His bewildered experience is encapsulated in a scream of "Where am I?!" which introduces the audience to his character's vulnerability.
This movie marks the return of directors Lord and Miller to the realm of space narratives following their controversial firing from "Solo: A Star Wars Story" back in 2018. "Project: Hail Mary" heavily incorporates scientific principles, aligning with Weir’s dedication to accuracy, as he meticulously reviewed equations throughout the filmmaking process. Weir, who also serves as a producer on the film, emphasized the story’s scientific backbone during the panel discussion.
Alongside its serious scientific themes, the film embraces the vibrant, comedic style characteristic of Lord and Miller's work in previous successes like "The Lego Movie." Lord humorously described the film's personality, stating, "This movie is not a Mac, it’s a PC; it can be beautiful, it just can’t be pretty." This approach encapsulates the essence of "Project: Hail Mary," promising a unique cinematic experience.