Ordinary Teacher Becomes Hero in Sci-Fi Thriller Project Hail Mary

LOS ANGELES, CA — An ordinary middle-school science teacher finds himself at the center of a global crisis in the new sci-fi thriller, Project Hail Mary. Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, who is recruited by the U.S. government for a secret mission to save humanity from a dying sun.

The journey begins when the government learns that Grace, a teacher at Grover Cleveland Middle School, might hold the key to understanding the sun’s alarming fade. His background in molecular biology makes him an unlikely but essential astronaut on a solo mission to uncover answers in deep space.

Midway through his voyage, Ryland wakes up with fragmented memories, struggling to piece together his mission. As the truth unfolds, he discovers he is not alone; an alien, rock-like being is also racing to save its own planet.

Sandra Hüller plays Eva Stratt, the determined head of the Hail Mary initiative. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, features a screenplay by Drew Goddard, known for his work on The Martian. Lord and Miller are making their return to feature films after their exit from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The cast includes Milana Vayntrub, Lionel Boyce, and Ken Leung. Project Hail Mary is set to hit theaters nationwide on March 20, 2026. As audiences await the film, the premise raises questions about science, survival, and unexpected heroes.