The One Reason Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary 2 Shouldn’t Launch

written by Craig Ellison

March 23, 2026 1:54 pm

The One Reason Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary 2 Shouldn’t Launch — Image credit: Legion-Media

As Project Hail Mary blasts into theaters, fans are already clamoring for a sequel — but despite Ryan Gosling’s star power and the Phil Lord and Christopher Miller touch, this Amazon MGM Studios sci-fi should stay one-and-done, and here’s why.

So, 'Project Hail Mary' finally landed in theaters, and as usual, the internet is already buzzing about the possibility of a sequel. Because apparently, if a movie is successful, it immediately needs to become a series, a universe, or at least have a "2" slapped on the end. Personally? I hope nobody gets any big ideas. Here’s why.

Meet 'Project Hail Mary'

This one comes from Amazon MGM Studios, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller running the show—yes, those guys who did 'The Lego Movie' and '21 Jump Street'. It’s adapted from Andy Weir’s 2021 sci-fi novel (the same guy behind 'The Martian'), and stars Ryan Gosling as the painfully overqualified science teacher-turned-astronaut Dr. Ryland Grace.

Here’s the core cast:

Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace
James Ortiz (voice and puppeteer) as Rocky (yes, there’s an alien puppet)
Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt

Plot-wise, it’s classic Andy Weir: science teacher wakes up on a spacecraft, amnesia in full force, and the sun is apparently dying thanks to some very aggressive space microbes. Grace’s job? Figure it out and save humanity before everyone back home gets an involuntary suntan. He won’t be completely solo, though—a surprise friendship (I won't spoil it, but it’s one of the best parts) is at the heart of the film.

Another Sequel? Please, No.

I get it—the movie killed on opening weekend and critics haven’t had this much fun since… well, 'Barbie', which also starred Ryan Gosling. If you listen closely, you can already hear executives whispering about how to milk this thing for all it’s worth. But here’s my unsolicited two cents: let's not.

There’s this knee-jerk reaction in Hollywood lately that everything has to be a franchise. Didn’t ask for a 'Wicked' sequel and I definitely didn’t need even more 'Scream' movies. Yet, here we are. History’s made it pretty clear—anything that even sniffs at box office gold gets locked up for a multi-movie deal, whether the story actually needs it or not.

Why This Story Is Actually Finished

Yes, 'Project Hail Mary' is based off a book—but the movie covers the entire novel. There’s no spare plot thread dangling, no crunchy cliffhanger, no deep lore to mine for spinoffs. It’s a genuine beginning, middle, and end.

If Andy Weir decides to write a sequel, and it’s clear he actually has a story to tell (not just cashing in), maybe we talk. Until then, it's done. One good sci-fi movie that isn't tied to an endless string of prequels and sequels is a rare treat these days.

Look, we all love James Cameron for turning 'The Terminator' into the beast that is 'Terminator 2', or 'Aliens' from, well, 'Alien'. But most of the time, these sequels don’t pan out, and even for Cameron, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' wasn’t exactly peak sci-fi. Unless you’re pulling a literal James Cameron miracle, it’s probably best to just tap out gracefully.

'The story is finished. Any attempt to turn Project Hail Mary into a never-ending franchise would only result in middling and disappointing sequels that, then, would make everyone not really care about the first movie anymore.'

As of now, 'Project Hail Mary' is playing in theaters across the U.S. Go see it, enjoy it, and let’s just appreciate an original(ish) sci-fi film that sticks the landing and knows when to quit while it’s ahead.