Ryan Gosling's 'Project Hail Mary' first look sparks laughter and intrigue at Comic-Con
Ryan Gosling delivered both humor and humanity during the unveiling of Project Hail Mary footage at San Diego Comic-Con. Appearing alongside directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, screenwriter Drew Goddard, and original author Andy Weir, Gosling introduced several scenes from the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios sci-fi epic, scheduled to hit theaters on March 20, 2026.
Ryan Gosling unveils hilarious and heartfelt 'Project Hail Mary' footage at Comic-Con with Lord & Miller, teasing a sci-fi hit landing in 2026.
Courtesy Of Amazon MGM Studios
The presentation kicked off with the film’s opening sequence, revealing Gosling’s Ryland Grace regaining consciousness aboard a mysterious spacecraft. With no dialogue for the first few minutes, Gosling’s subtle expressions and bewildered gestures earned audible laughter from the Comic-Con audience. The tension built until his character’s bewildered outburst—“Where am I?”—delivered just before the camera cuts to a stunning view of deep space.
Comic-Con attendees also got a preview of the film’s tone—an ambitious mix of science fiction, drama, and humor. On stage, Gosling commented with a grin about his character’s unusual costume in the opening scene, calling it a “placenta onesie” and joking that he hoped to see fans wearing it as cosplay next year.
The crowd’s amusement continued with a second scene, featuring Gosling opposite Sandra Hüller. Her character pressures Ryland to experiment on an alien cell, prompting Gosling’s exasperated line, “Am I expendable?” Hüller’s dry reply, “That’s not the only reason,” drew more laughs, highlighting the sharp wit that underpins the film’s scientific premise.
Momentum shifted with the reveal of a more somber scene, as Gosling’s character faces the weightlessness of zero gravity and a haunting realization mid-mission. “I connected to his reluctance,” Gosling shared, describing Grace as “an ordinary person” caught in extraordinary circumstances.
Directors Lord and Miller reflected on finally collaborating with the Oscar nominee. “We wanted to do something with Ryan for a long time,” Miller said. “This was the most rewarding collaboration of our careers.” Lord added with tongue-in-cheek insight, “It answers the question, ‘If the universe depends on it, can adult men make friends?’”
Balancing emotional resonance with moments of levity became a key theme during the panel. Goddard emphasized that comedy and drama go hand-in-hand when storytelling reflects real life. “Our lives are dramatic and comedic every single day,” he said. Miller agreed, noting, “Things are funnier if it comes from real emotion.”
Weir praised Gosling for his layered portrayal of Ryland Grace, a character the author originally created on the page. “Seeing Ryan give so many layers to this character I made up, I was like, ‘Wow, this character is really cool,’” he said, earning appreciative chuckles from fans.
A standout topic of conversation was Rocky, the alien creature Grace befriends during his mission. Though Rocky lacks a traditional face, the filmmakers expressed confidence in his emotional impact. “You would die for this character,” Miller said. Weir, ever the joker, playfully compared Rocky to Gosling’s past co-stars: “From Emma Stone to person of stone.”
