Bearded Ryan Gosling Looks Unrecognizable in Project Hail Mary Trailer

Ryan Gosling has fans doing a double take after sporting an unrecognizable look in the new trailer for his upcoming sci-fi film, Project Hail Mary.

Gosling, 44, wore a long brown beard and a shoulder-length wig at the start of the trailer, which was released on Monday, June 30. His character, Ryland Grace, states that he just woke up from a coma in outer space and is “several light-years” away from his apartment.

“I’m not an astronaut,” he declares multiple times, as the trailer revisits the events leading up to him going to space.

It’s revealed in the trailer that Ryland is a teacher at a middle school and has a doctorate in molecular biology. He is recruited by a space task force to research why stars, including the sun, are dying. It’s explained that the stars were infected by something deadly, with the exception of one. Ryland’s job is to find out why.

Ryland is sent to space on a “hail mary” mission to figure out how to stop the infection from spreading and causing all life forms to go extinct. He expresses some hesitancy despite being told he is the planet’s last hope at finding a solution to impending doom.

“I understand the stakes, I do,” he says. “But my place is in the classroom.”

Ryland is told if he doesn’t go to space, he’ll die along with the rest of the people on the planet. That seems to change his perspective on the matter. He steps into a space suit after signing on to do the mission.

In another scene, Ryland shaves off the beard while aboard the spacecraft. He also breaks down in tears, frustrated by the experience of being in space and trying to save the planet.

It seems like things come to a head at the end of the trailer, which is set to Harry Styles‘ “Sign of the Times,” as Ryland declares he “met an alien.” He is seen teaching the alien how to do a thumbs-up and also tries handing it a Hacky Sack.

The film, which is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, also stars Sandra Hüller, Milana Vayntrub, Lionel Boyce and Ken Leung.

Many fans of the book are excited to see the story brought to life on the big screen, especially the character of Rocky.

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“This is one of my favorite books ever, Rocky is one of my favorite characters, and their friendship is touching like Elliot and E.T. I’m really rooting for you to knock this one out of the park, Amazon. It looks like Ryan Gosling nailed his performance of Grace, I’m hyped!” one person commented on the trailer on YouTube.

“The book is a masterpiece, be ready everyone, this might be something incredibly special,” a second person wrote.

“I am so happy that they cast Ryan. This is going to be such a fun movie. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go re-read the book now,” a third person said.

Project Hail Mary will be released in theaters on March 20, 2026.