One of the most anticipated movies of this year will be coming out soon! Project Hail Mary, a book written by Andy Weir, has been adapted for the big screen with much excitement from fans. Weir is well-know for writing his previous best-selling book, The Martian, which like Project Hail Mary, was received with so much acclaim it was also adapted into a successful movie. So far, things are looking very good for the turnout of Project Hail Mary. The movie is co-directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, and stars Ryan Gosling! As a huge fan of Andy Weir, and especially of Project Hail Mary, this author thinks there is no better actor for the role of Ryland Grace.

While the hype for this adaption has been long coming, only recently was the second trailer for Project Hail Mary released! The promotion has been big for this adaption. Over the summer, Ryan Gosling, Andy Weir, and directors Miller and Lord appeared inside Hall H of Comic Con San Diego 2025! For those unfamiliar with Comic Con, it’s safe to say that Hall H is a big deal—it’s the biggest and most prestigious panel of the entire con. Read more about the summer promotion for Project Hail Mary in my article, Project Hail Mary Ascends Hall H At San Diego Comic Con!

At winter descends and the new year begins, it’s time for fans of Project Hail Mary to get ready for one of the most anticipated movies of 2026. Let’s dig into this new trailer!

*trailer spoilers and analysis ahead—if you want certain plot lines and characters of Project Hail Mary to stay a secret, stop reading here!*

DYING STARS, RYLAND NEEDS A MINIBAR

Take a look at the newest trailer for Project Hail Mary above!

Project Hail Mary is a sci-fi story that’s centered around one man’s mission to save his home planet. Ryland Grace is a middle school science teacher when things hit the fan. Ryland is one of the few people who have an expansive background in molecular sciences. His theory that launched his thesis? Not all life needs water and a specific environmental habitat to survive. It was his rejection of one of the world’s most integral theories that led Ryland to leaving that world behind, and entering a different kind of academic—teaching. It’s also this thesis of Ryland’s that leads him to being one of the only people who can save his planet.

The sun is dying. Which in big terms, means that the world will freeze over in give-or-take 30 years. Famine will be inevitable, everyone will die, and the ice age will be upon the world. To his uncertainty, this is where Ryland enters the conflict. He has to figure out what is causing the sun to dim, find a way to stop it, travel though space, and maybe make a few friends along the way. . .

Compared to the first trailer we saw for Project Hail Mary, this one is a lot more jam packed! For starters, viewers get to see a lot more of Rocky, a space friend of Ryland’s. In the first trailer, what we get to see of Rocky is very minimal. As the anticipation builds for the film though, we’re now seeing the full-bodied image of Rocky the alien. Fun Fact! When filming for Project Hail Mary, the creative team and directors decided to use a puppet and puppeteer for Rocky, as opposed to CGI and digital effects. I love this approach to creating Rocky, and like the filmmakers, believe that it will make him just that much more life-like and real to the audience.

BIG SCIENCE WORDS

This version of the trailer also showcases more of the science and experiments Ryland performs as he gears up for his own adventure. It’s obvious that as a sci-fi story, Project Hail Mary has to cover a lot of worldly conflicts with scientific explanations, trials, and tests. Ryland, as one of the head examiners and leaders, is the guy who has to execute those tests, and then define the results. While reading the book for Project Hail Mary, there were definitely times where I zoned out of all of the scientific explanations and just accepted what was happening without a second thought. I wonder what it will be like when watching the movie! This author will have to get ready for some big science words—I’m putting on my thinking cap early.

I loved seeing the small bit that centers on how Ryland and Rocky communicate—it really is amazing! For those unaware of it, I won’t go into any more detail so you can witness all the magic on the big screen, or on the page.

The Project Hail Mary trailer is really gearing audiences up for an exciting ride. Seeing Ryland in his spaceship figuring out problem after problem with Rocky is just part of the adventure of Project Hail Mary. This story really is one of friendship, finding a family where you least expect it, and the things we choose to sacrifice for each other.

I’m excited to see what comes next in the promotional journey of Project Hail Mary. Personally, I would love to see Rocky on “The Tonight Show”, but Ryan Gosling would be alright too.

Project Hail Mary soars into theatres on March 20th, 2026