NASA Scientists Help Ryan Gosling Bring Space Hero to Life

Ryan Gosling didn't just read a script to prepare for his role in "Project Hail Mary." He sat down with actual NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren to learn what it really feels like to live and work in space.

The creative team behind the upcoming film visited NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on February 25, 2026, for a special event celebrating the collaboration between Hollywood and space science. Gosling joined co-star Sandra Huller, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, screenwriter Drew Goddard, and novelist Andy Weir at the gathering.

NASA didn't just offer a quick tour and call it a day. The agency provided subject matter experts who answered detailed questions from the film crew throughout production, ensuring the science and spaceflight sequences would look and feel authentic.

Lindgren, who serves as deputy director of NASA's Flight Operations Directorate, shared firsthand insights about astronaut life with Gosling during filming. The conversations covered everything from the technical challenges of human spaceflight to the emotional experience of leaving Earth behind.

This partnership continues NASA's tradition of supporting creative media that inspires public interest in space exploration. Previous collaborations have helped films like "The Martian" (also based on an Andy Weir novel) capture the reality of space science while telling compelling stories.

The Ripple Effect

When NASA scientists work with filmmakers, the impact reaches far beyond entertainment. Accurate space movies spark curiosity in young viewers who might become the next generation of engineers, astronauts, and scientists.

The collaboration also helps the public understand the real challenges and triumphs of space exploration. By grounding fiction in fact, these partnerships make NASA's actual missions feel more accessible and exciting to everyday people.

"Project Hail Mary" tells the story of a lone astronaut on a desperate mission to save humanity. With NASA's help, audiences will see that heroic journey through a lens shaped by people who actually know what it takes to venture into the unknown.

The film promises to bring Weir's vision to life with the same scientific credibility that made "The Martian" both a box office success and a love letter to problem-solving ingenuity.