Summary
Fans of Andy Weir’s sci-fi novelProject Hail Maryhave been waiting for a trailer, and now that it’s here, they’re wondering if the biggest plot point has been given away.
Published in 2021,Project Hail Marytells the story ofRyland Grace, a teacher who wakes up after being in a coma and thinks about the fascinating and haunting experience he had in space.Ryan Gosling, who is also starring in the upcomingStar Wars: Starfighter, along with the movieThe Actor, plays Grace. Other cast members in the Amazon MGM Studios movie include Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, and Sandra Hüller.Christopher Miller and Phil Lord directed the film, which Drew Goddard wrote. Goddard is known co-writing and directingthe clever horror movieThe Cabin in the Woods, and Miller and Lord have written and directed several movies. After directing21 Jump Street, which was released in 2014, they wrote 2023’sSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Versealong with David Callaham. From the trailer alone, it’s clear thatProject Hail Maryis a creative and memorable adaptation.However, fans who love the book are unsure about one story detail being shared.
Fans Are Debating If The Project Hail Mary Trailer Gives Too Much Away
TheProject Hail Marytrailer opens with Ryland Grace explaining he “just woke up from a coma” and is “light years” from his apartment. Grace is a science teacher who learns that the sun is dying, along with most of the stars. When he says that he’s certain that a solution will be discovered, he’s told,“you are the solution.“Grace is asked to perform a special mission: go into space to figure out why one star isn’t dying. If he doesn’t, or if he fails, the people and species on Earth will be extinct. Then, the trailer shows what is arguably the biggest moment from the book:when Grace meets an alien named Rocky. Grace stares out into the abyss from the spaceship and sees a hand approach. Later, he says, “He’s kinda growing on me. He’s not growing in me, you know, which was a concern for a while.” Before the trailer ends, Grace says, “I’m gonna call you Rocky. Thumbs up,” and shows his sense of humor.
Fans discussed theProject Hail Marytrailer onRedditand wonder if Grace and Rocky’s meeting should have been saved for the movie. While some say this was a spoiler, others think it had to be included in the trailer. Redditor @Harkoncito wrote:
“Oh, they had to spoil THAT, right? I hope they keep the non-linear story.”
Redditor @Neatless added:
“Would have been happy if they didn’t reveal the encounter. But I get it, it’s early in the book, and it makes for a better trailer.”
One Redditor said “it’s barely a spoiler” and including the Rocky and Grace meeting will ensure that audiences want to see the movie. They said,“People love buddy comedies and first contact stories.”
While it’s possible to see both sides of this debate,Rocky is an important part of the story. It makes sense for audiences to walk into a screening ofProject Hail Maryknowing that it’s a story about a man befriending an alien, rather than asci-fi movie about evil aliens who are the villains. While the book and movie have some similarities to Weir’s novelThe Martian, which was made into a 2015 movie starring Matt Damon(and also written by Drew Goddard), Rocky is a unique and beloved character. TheProject Hail Marytrailer also keeps some mystery and intrigue by only showing Rocky’s hand, and audiences will have to wait until the movie’s release to see all of him. Some fans pointed out that the conversation surroundingProject Hail Maryalways involves Rocky, so the trailer doesn’t give anything away, which is also a fair point.
Grace is a great role for Gosling, who in the past few years has shown his versatility as an actor. Besidesplaying Ken in Greta Gerwig’sBarbiemovie, he’s taken on roles in the action moviesThe Gray ManandThe Fall Guy,and now he’s starring in this popular sci-fi story.
Project Hail Marywill be released in theaters on March 20th, 2026.
