Ryan Gosling will star in 2026’s Project Hail Mary, and the author of the sci-fi novel that the movie is based on is already praising it, which is a good sign after his last movie adaptation. The upcoming alien film is one of the most exciting sci-fi movies of next year, and based on this author’s track record, it could be incredible.

Project Hail Mary is directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and adapted from the 2021 book of the same name. Acclaimed author Andy Weir wrote the book, and while authors’ opinions on movie adaptations of their works can be touchy, Weir has already praised the upcoming film.

During the Project Hail Mary panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Weir explained that he had already seen cuts of the film and that “It’s really good.” Weir doubled down on his positive reception by adding, “I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out,” and praising the work of Lord, Miller, and screenwriter Drew Goddard:

I’ve seen cuts of the film, and it’s really good, guys. It’s really good. These guys, they’re amazing directors, everybody knows that. I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out… I couldn’t ask for better talent in every aspect… we waited for Drew… We had to wait several months for him to finish [the project he was working on.]

Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary Praise Should Be Trusted After The Martian

The Author Has A Great Track Record

While some could say that Weir’s comments are just attempting to build hype for Project Hail Mary, the author should be trusted after The Martian. The Martian was the last Andy Weir novel to get adapted into a feature film, with Ridley Scott directing the 2015 project. The movie was a big hit, earning 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and making $630.6 million at the box office.

Interestingly, Weir has also been known to praise The Martian since its release. In an interview with Writer’s Bone, Weir called it “an incredible film,” praising many aspects of the final project. He said:

I’m so happy! It’s an incredible film. My favorite part was the visuals. You can’t really describe a landscape in a book. You can try, but it doesn’t really come across. Usually it ends up being a few really boring paragraphs. But in a visual medium, you can really show the sheer beauty of the environment, and Ridley really gave us an experience. We get to see Mars in all its glory.

Weir’s comments on adaptations of his work already have a track record of matching up with public opinion. Thus, Weir’s comments about Project Hail Mary‘s quality bode well for how the movie itself will turn. Although Project Hail Mary is still several months out from its March 2026 release, Weir’s comments set high hopes for the sci-fi blockbuster.

Weir’s comments correlate with many other aspects that make the film so exciting. Gosling is coming off a H๏τ streak of acclaimed hits like Barbie and The Fall Guy, and the same can be said for Lord and Miller. They previously directed The LEGO Movie and the 21 Jump Street films while writing and producing the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse films.

Even screenwriter Drew Goddard has an incredible track record. He’s written Cloverfield, The Cabin in the Woods, Daredevil, The Good Place, and even The Martian. All of these talented individuals have already set high expectations for Project Hail Mary, and Weir’s comments, in combination with his own history, set them even higher.