Phil Lord and Chris Miller to direct Ryan Gosling in new astronaut movie

News
By published

The First Man goes back to space

(Image credit: Universal)

Ryan Gosling is dusting off the astronaut suit again. Having ventured to the moon in First Man, the actor looks set to launch back into space in a new movie.

Variety reports that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller are on board to direct the upcoming adaptation of The Martian author Andy Weir’s next novel. Gosling – who had lobbied for the filmmaking duo to helm the movie before even finishing the manuscript – will lead the project, which will be released by MGM.

Details regarding the actual plot are scarce. The publication reports that Weir’s upcoming novel is being referred to as “Project Hail Mary” and concerns a solitary astronaut on a space ship who is tasked with saving Earth. The novel will be published in Spring next year. Whatever the case, the story should be good, as the rights recently sold for an undisclosed seven-figure sum.

Thanks to MGM chief Michael De Luca and Universal chairman Donna Langley's friendship, Lord and Miller were given the go-ahead to pursue the space project. Amy Pascal, who produced Spider-Verse and was head of Sony Pictures Television until 2015, is also on board to produce. Now that's some steady navigation of studio politics by the directing duo. “Project Hail Mary” currently has no release date.

Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.