The "Ave Maria" Project„ (Hail Mary Project) is a 2026 American fantasy film directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller from a screenplay by Drew Goddard and Andy Weir. The film is set for a US release on March 20, 2026.
Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a former science teacher, wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Over time, he begins to recall that he was sent on a mission to the Tau Keta star system, 12 light-years from Earth, to discover a solution to a catastrophic event threatening humanity.
On Earth, scientists discover that the Sun is losing energy due to microscopic organisms called "Astrophages" that absorb light and heat. This is causing a global cooling that could trigger a new ice age. Grace is part of a team sent to investigate why Tau Ceti is not affected by this phenomenon.
During the mission, Grace makes contact with an alien who is also trying to save their planet from the same threat. The two form an unexpected friendship and join forces to find a solution that can save both their civilizations.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir, author of The Martian. Weir himself served as a consultant during production to ensure scientific accuracy and faithfulness to the spirit of the novel.
Filming is set to begin in late 2024 and will take place in several phases, including filming on specially constructed space sets and using the latest visual effects. Some of the visuals were created by the studio that worked on Dune and Interstellar.
The "Ave Maria" Project„ is considered one of the most anticipated science fiction films of 2026, both because of Ryan Gosling's participation and because of the exceptional success of the novel on which it is based.
