Ryan Gosling was back to his usual, handsome self as he attended the Project Hail Mary panel during 2025 Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday, after unveiling his dramatic transformation for the new film.
The Golden Globe winner, 44, looked unrecognizable in the latest record-breaking trailer for the upcoming sci-fi movie – which is based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir.
The actor had the chance to discuss aspects of the anticipated film while joined by Weir as well as directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and screenwriter Drew Goddard.
Ryan donned a blue and yellow-patterned button up as well as a pair of classic denim jeans.
He additionally opted for a flashy silver watch on his left wrist as well as a yellow cap on top of his head that had ‘Cat’ printed on the front – referencing to the heavy equipment company.
Ryan’s outfit was the complete opposite of his nearly unrecognizable look in Project Hail Mary – which is slated to hit theaters next year on March 20, 2026.
Ryan Gosling, 44, was back to his usual handsome self as he attended the Project Hail Mary panel during 2025 Comic-Con in San Diego on Saturday
The Golden Globe winner recently showed off his wild transformation in the latest record-breaking trailer for the upcoming sci-fi movie – which is based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir
Not long after the trailer dropped late last month, the three-minute clip broke records after raking in 400 million views globally in just the first week according to WaveMetrix, per Deadline.
The large number of views is also the most ever for an original movie trailer that is not based on a sequel or a remake.
However, it is not fully clear how the views were counted – with YouTube needing an individual to click on a video for at least 30 seconds in order for it to be a considered as a view.
Project Hail Mary is being released through Amazon MGM Studios – with the trailer also being a big milestone for the production company.
The clip showed Ryan’s wild transformation with a scruffy beard and long hair as he ventures up to space on a mission to save humanity.
He portrays the character of a middle school science teacher named Ryland Grace who is chosen to take on the vital task.
The trailer began with Ryan’s character waking up from a coma inside the rocket ship that is floating in space and also gives a glimpse at how his journey began.
Towards the end, fans were able to get a look at an alien named Rocky that his character also crosses paths with during the mission.
The actor had the chance to discuss aspects of the anticipated film while joined by Weir as well as directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and screenwriter Drew Goddard
He additionally opted for a flashy silver watch on his left wrist as well as a yellow cap on top of his head that had ‘Cat’ printed on the front – referencing to the heavy equipment company
Ryan’s outfit was the complete opposite of his nearly unrecognizable look in Project Hail Mary – which is slated to hit theaters next year on March 20, 2026
Project Hail Mary is being released through Amazon MGM Studios – with the trailer also being a big milestone for the production company
The clip showed Ryan’s wild transformation with a scruffy beard and long hair as he ventures up to space on a mission to save humanity
Social media users shared their thoughts over the trailer when it dropped, with some expressing their excitement over the adaption.
On YouTube, one penned, ‘I’m not lying when I say Project Hail Mary is the GREATEST science fiction book I’ve ever read, so excited to see this on screen.’
Another added, ‘This movie better be 8 hours long,’ while a fan shared, ‘The book is a masterpiece, be ready everyone, this might be something incredibly special.’
‘Cried reading the book. Cried watching the trailer. Will 100% cry during the movie,’ one typed, and another wrote, ‘I have rarely been this excited to see a movie. Jazz hands forever!’
A viewer commented, ‘I saw the trailer and decided to read the book. I haven’t read a book in 20 years.. Could. not. put. it. down. Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Amaze.’
The directors also took to X to offer their own thoughts upon hearing the record-breaking milestone the trailer made.
Phil penned, ‘Holy Moly! Thank you all you glorious generous fans of movies/books/near light speed space travel/the Sun for pushing the trailer for Project Hail Mary past 400 million views – the most in one week for a non-sequel non-remake original film trailer… ever.
‘Can’t wait to thank some of you in person at San Diego Comic-Con in Hall H with our pals Ryan, Andy, and Drew… and a few other surprises…’
Towards the end, fans were able to get a look at an alien named Rocky that his character also crosses paths during the mission
Social media users shared their thoughts over the trailer when it dropped, with some expressing their excitement over the adaption
During the panel discussion on Saturday, Ryan as well as the directors and screenwriter talked to the audience about the project. Andy – who was a producer on the movie – also joined in at the event as well.
Those in attendance were able to see the first five minutes of the movie as well as other snippets of scenes, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Ryan talked about playing Ryland Grace and expressed, ‘I connected to his reluctance. He’s quite an ordinary person.’
Phil and Christopher also discussed having the chance to collaborate with The Notebook star on the project.
Christopher said, ‘We wanted to do something with Ryan for a long time. This was the most rewarding collaboration of our careers.’
Phil then chimed in to humorously add, ‘It answers the question, “If the universe depends on it, can adult men make friends?”‘
Andy also praised Ryan’s performance and stated, ‘Seeing Ryan give so many layers to this character I made up, I was like, “Wow, this character is really cool.”‘
In the trailer, fans were able to get a slight glimpse at the alien Rocky and while the creature ‘doesn’t have eyes or a mouth or a face,’ Christopher said viewers would still ‘die for this character.’
Those in attendance were able to see the first five minutes of the movie as well as other snippets of scenes, per The Hollywood Reporter
Christopher said, ‘We wanted to do something with Ryan for a long time. This was the most rewarding collaboration of our careers’
Alongside Ryan, other stars that were cast in the upcoming film included Sandra Huller – who is known for The Zone Of Interest and Anatomy Of The Fall.
Phil and Christopher have worked on other projects together as well, such as 21 Jump Street and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.
Andy is not only known for penning Project Hail Mary but also The Martian – which was adapted into the 2015 film starring Matt Damon.
During an interview with Space.com earlier this month, the author opened up about the movie adaptation of Project Hail Mary and his thoughts on the film as a whole.
‘They showed it to me well in advance,’ Andy said. ‘I’m a producer on this film so I’m involved in giving notes and stuff this time so it’s kinda cool. It’s nice to pretend I’m a bigshot. But I was really psyched.
‘I always try to put myself in the mind of the viewer for movie stuff or reader for book stuff and try to blank my mind and imagine I don’t know anything about the story.’
Andy is not only known for penning Project Hail Mary but also The Martian – which was adapted into the 2015 film starring Matt Damon (seen above)
‘They showed it to me well in advance,’ Andy said. ‘I’m a producer on this film so I’m involved in giving notes and stuff this time so it’s kinda cool. It’s nice to pretend I’m a bigshot. But I was really psyched’
Andy also talked about Ryan’s portrayal of the story’s protagonist and said, ‘Ryan [Gosling] is funny. He’s got a good natural understanding of comedy and timing.
‘He was really engaged, and he’d want to talk to me every day about scenes and what’s going through Grace’s mind. I was there for the shoot and on set all the time. That was really cool.’
Andy further recalled, ‘I got to be a Hollywood mover and or a shaker. They actually offered to assign me an assistant. I said no, I don’t have enough for an assistant to do.
‘There’s almost nothing more useless on a set than the writer. Although there was a lot more work for me to do than I expected. It was awesome.’
