On Thursday, March 18, New York City welcomed the highly anticipated premiere of “Project Hail Mary” with a star-studded evening at the Josie Robertson Plaza. Filmmakers and celebrities gathered to celebrate one of the most talked-about sci-fi films of the year. Despite the brisk evening, the cast’s enthusiasm and warmth quickly took center stage as they greeted fans and spoke with HOLA! USA.
Leading the evening was Ryan Gosling, who stars in and produces the film. He turned heads on the red carpet in a sharp suit paired with a pink shirt and a burgundy leather tie, and he was joined by his costars Sandra Hüller and Milana Vayntrub. Gosling reflected on the creative freedom that defined the project, especially when it came to the film’s unexpected musical and emotional beats.
“We improvised every day. And I think we were able to do that because Rocky was a puppet that was really there in the room. Right? We had a brilliant puppeteer, James Ortiz. I thought, ‘Look, if we’re going to not do this CGI and we’re going to go through this process of having it really be there, we might as well get to know each other and see where we can take this.’ And it took us to so many amazing places. What you see is very it’s a very alive,” he shared.
© The Hollywood Reporter via GettyThat creative spontaneity translated into one of the most challenging experiences of his career. Gosling admitted, “I never did something [like this]. This is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. Yeah, absolutely.”
Yet, beyond the technical demands, it was the story’s hopeful message that drew him in. “I wanted to make a film that was hopeful about the future and showed what human beings are capable of, reminded us that human beings make impossible things happen all the time,” he explained, adding that fatherhood played a meaningful role in that decision.
Despite the film’s complex production, the actor maintained his signature humor when imagining life beyond Earth. When asked what he would bring to space, he laughed and said, “Donuts. Coffee and donuts,” then quickly added, “I don’t want to go, I don’t want to. I want to make movies about going, but I don’t want to go to space.”
His emotional connection to the project extended into his personal life. “They’ve seen so many cuts of the movie. They’ve helped me all along the way,” he said of his children, revealing how deeply involved his family has been throughout the journey.
Puppeteer James Ortiz was a standout presence behind the scenes and on set, bringing the beloved alien character Rocky to life. His excitement about joining the film was unforgettable. “Oh, I jumped up and down and screamed,” he recalled. “And then I got a phone call from Ryan. We had the best time. We were playing and we were jumping around. It was very playful. I made him a promise that no matter what, between action, we’re going to play a lot of improv. The only way to do it is to like, be inviting and keep playing. That’s what we did.”
That sense of playfulness and authenticity paid off when Ortiz finally saw the finished film. “I think my shoulder dropped. I was just so excited that what we made is there. I’m just so grateful to be a part of something that is this impactful, that is this meaningful. And it’s about kindness. It’s a big deal,” he said, visibly moved.
One of the film’s most inspired musical cues
Visionary directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are at the helm of the film, working meticulously to balance scientific complexity with emotional storytelling. Reflecting on the process, Lord shared, “Oh, gosh. We edited the movie for a year.”
Miller added, “There’s a lot of footage, and we try and tell a story that’s as most emotional and human as we can. We try and tell the science in a way that feels engaging and it doesn’t feel like a lecture. And we’re trying just make a movie that’ll make you laugh and cry and be excited.”
Music plays a vital role in shaping the film’s emotional core, adding depth and cultural richness with surprising touches. The soundtrack features notable moments, such as tango influences and the iconic song “Gracias a la Vida” by Mercedes Sosa, which add a deeply emotional layer to the story. “We needed that. The tango is a great invitation to dance between two ships. And it is about the sunrise. And we just thought it was a perfectly apt. And then, the Mercedes Sosa was very late, it was one of the last decisions that we made to put that in the movie,” said Lord.
Miller continued, “It’s a beautiful, beautiful song that’s like a farewell song, a farewell to Earth for the movie. And it’s a very emotional song.” Lord added, “It’s also a call to humanity. You know, it has a history as being an invitation to be our best and most humane society.”
“Project Hail Mary” premieres in theaters this Friday, March 20.
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