As audiences eagerly anticipate the cinematic treasures of 2025, an exciting preview was unveiled on Wednesday night at CinemaCon. MGM presented the first footage of what is anticipated to be the standout sci-fi film of 2026, Project Hail Mary.

Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Andy Weir, known for his best-selling book The Martian, Project Hail Mary is set to captivate audiences with its thrilling narrative and stunning visuals. The film is directed by the innovative duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, whose previous works include the hit comedies 21 Jump Street and the animated success The Lego Movie. Although the film is not slated for release until March 2026, the initial extended trailer provided a glimpse into its promising plot and unique characters.

In the footage, we are introduced to Ryan Gosling playing the role of Ryland Grace, a seemingly unremarkable college professor at a small educational institution. His routine existence is shattered when a woman named Eva, portrayed by Sandra Hüller, enters his classroom. She inquires about a paper he authored, to which Ryland responds that he faced termination as a result of his controversial theories. However, it soon becomes evident that his ideas might hold the key to saving humanity, as the rumors circulating on Earth have a chilling truth: the Sun is dying.

Eva then whisks Ryland away to a controlled environment where he is introduced to an assembly of highly intelligent individuals. The stakes are quickly laid out; the Sun isn't the only star facing extinction. A disturbing pattern of infection is affecting stars across the universe, with only one exception. A desperate plan is proposed, but it sounds almost too implausible to Ryland: they will need to travel at near-light speeds, a feat that is currently beyond our technological capabilities, and the astronauts involved may not return to Earth. The gravity of the situation weighs heavily on Ryland, who incredulously questions, “Who is gonna sign up for that?”

As the room falls silent, the enormity of the task ahead becomes clear. Although Ryland initially feels out of place, having never been an astronaut, Eva reassures him that they don’t need another astronaut; they need his expertise. “I put the ‘not’ in astronaut,” he quips, highlighting his reluctance. Yet, despite his apprehension, Ryland ultimately decides to embark on this perilous journey into space.

The visuals in the trailer are nothing short of breathtaking, showcasing Ryland’s ship traversing through the vast emptiness of space. He awakens from cryosleep with a notable beard, and the audience is treated to a series of curious encounters aboard his vessel. A particularly striking moment occurs when Ryland’s ship enters a vibrant, shimmering expanse, leading them to another spacecraft that appears almost organic in design, characterized by thin, wooden-like structures.

As the two ships approach each other, a small cylinder is ejected from the alien vessel, causing momentary panic for Ryland, who fears an explosive surprise. However, to his relief, the object merely bounces off his ship, revealing it to be a message instead. This pivotal moment leads to a connection between the two ships, allowing Ryland to board the alien craft, which is intriguingly more biological than mechanical.

Upon entering, Ryland calls out, “Anybody home?” and is met by an intriguing response—a two-fingered hand that touches the window he approaches. The trailer culminates with Ryland recording a video message, humorously stating, “So, I met an alien,” with a cheeky twist, “And he’s growing on me. Not in me, which was at one point a concern.”

This extended trailer, while feeling representative of much of the storyline, only scratches the surface of the rich narrative woven throughout Weir’s book. Fans are already buzzing with excitement, eager to see how the remaining plot unfolds. Project Hail Mary is set to premiere on March 20, 2026, and anticipation is building for what promises to be an extraordinary cinematic experience.