The marketing strategy for the cinematic adaptation of Project Hail Mary was the subject of intense internal deliberation. Author Andy Weir recently shared that the production team grappled with a pivotal question: should the trailers disclose the existence of the story’s extraterrestrial co-star? Ultimately, the mystery was peeled back in stages. Following a fleeting glimpse at the end of the initial teaser, the subsequent November preview offered more screen time, culminating in a final trailer that finally gave the creature a voice ahead of the film’s March 20 theatrical debut.
Directed by the visionary duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the latest footage—which premiered during the Super Bowl—establishes the staggering stakes of the narrative. Our sun is fading, threatening an extinction-level event for all terrestrial life. Ryland Grace (portrayed by Ryan Gosling), a middle-school science teacher turned involuntary astronaut, is humanity’s last hope. However, he soon discovers he isn’t tackling this solar crisis in isolation. He crosses paths with “Rocky,” a multi-limbed, spider-like engineer from another world, voiced and performed by lead puppeteer James Ortiz.
What begins as a tense encounter between two vastly different species evolves into a profound interstellar camaraderie. The trailer highlights their early, rudimentary attempts at communication—mimicking movements and tonal patterns—before transitioning into the development of a sophisticated shared lexicon. Utilizing translation software, Grace experiments with various auditory profiles for Rocky—including a humorous French accent and a more sinister baritone—before settling on the warm, melodic voice provided by Ortiz.
While Weir’s debut hit, The Martian, was a harrowing study of solitary survival, Project Hail Mary shifts the tone toward a high-stakes “buddy comedy” in deep space. The narrative follows Rocky as he relocates to Grace’s vessel, the two working in tandem to rescue their respective home planets. This emotional core is central to the new footage, particularly during a poignant moment where Grace acknowledges the suicidal nature of his mission, only for Rocky to offer a steadfast vow of protection.
The film reunites Weir with screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously penned the Oscar-nominated script for Ridley Scott’s 2015 adaptation of The Martian. To maintain the “hard sci-fi” integrity that fans expect, Weir remained closely involved throughout production as a technical consultant.
Reflecting on the experience, Weir described his time on set as a surreal highlight of his career. He enjoyed the balance of witnessing his imaginative world take physical shape while simultaneously being called upon to solve complex algebraic equations to ensure the film’s scientific accuracy.
Project Hail Mary is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 20.
Source: Polygon
