'Project Hail Mary' trailer reveals Rocky the Alien

Author Andy Weir (The Martian) sent another human far away from Earth in his novel Project Hail Mary . Now directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller (with a script from Drew Goddard) are bringing his story to the screen. A reluctant Ryan Gosling is on a mission to save the Sun before it dies and takes Earth with it. Only, our home is not the only planet facing annihilation, and in the deepest reaches of space he encounters a bizarre alien he dubs Rocky.

Why that name? His fellow galactic traveler sort of resembles a child’s drawing of a spider made out of stone. We’re not basing that description on Weir’s Rocky in his book, either. This trailer finally lets us see Rocky with our own eyes. And he is marvelous. He’s also very funny, which this trailer shows. That’s a great sign for this adaptation, as Ryland and Rocky’s relationship is the novel’s best element.

It’s second best is Eva Stratt, the person tasked with leading humanity’s desperate project to save the planet. This trailer shows plenty of Sandra Hüller as Stratt managing. We knew she was the most perfect casting possible for the role when that was announced. Seeing her, even for a moment, in the part is everything we thought it would be.

Between Hüller, Gosling, and Rocky, Project Hail Mary basically has a perfect cast. Will it deliver a perfect movie? We’ll find out when it travels into theaters next spring on March 20, 2026.