The sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary officially opened in United States theaters on Friday, backed by a $248 million budget and a 156-minute runtime. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel arrives in cinemas with a distinct technical approach, as the production utilized zero green screens during filming.
Cinematographer Greig Fraser structured the film’s visual framing entirely around lead actor Ryan Gosling’s genuine physical reactions. Gosling stars as Dr. Ryland Grace, a middle-school science teacher turned amnesiac astronaut on a mission to stop a star-killing parasitic microbe called Astrophage. To achieve authentic in-the-moment interactions, the production used a tactile, practical puppet operated by James Ortiz to portray the alien companion, Rocky.
Because Rocky was a physical presence rather than a computer-generated placeholder, Fraser’s camera was able to naturally follow Gosling’s exact line of sight. This practical setup allowed the lighting and framing to capture Gosling’s real-time emotional beats without digital simulation.
The production also isolated Gosling to capture the intense reality of being stranded in space. The actor spent long stretches locked alone inside the spacecraft set for hours, communicating with the directors solely through an earpiece to establish the necessary tension for the scenes.
Adapted by screenwriter Drew Goddard, the film focuses on themes of empathy and scientific mastery rather than violence. Fraser combined these narrative elements with a digital film-out technique and varying gravitational set designs to complete the immersive IMAX experience.